Some 7,000 farmers, fisherfolk and their families received Php10,000 each under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita (AKAP) program during the distribution of Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk and Families (PAFFF) in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan and in Odiongan town in Romblon on Thursday (July 18).

DSWD Secretary  Rex Gatchalian led the aid giving  at the Romblon State University in Odiongan where he oversaw the payout of the cash aid to the more than 3,000 validated and assessed beneficiaries of AKAP in the province.

In an ambush interview with local media, Sec. Gatchalian said the aid-giving was in line with the personal directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr to help those affected by the El Nino phenomenon.

“Alam nyo yang tulong na yan ay instruction ng ating pangulo para matulungan ang mga naging biktima ng El Nino, so syempre kanya-kanyang desisyon yan. Kung magsasaka ka, I’m sure gagamitin nila yan para iayos ang kanilang mga taniman. Kung mangingisda yan meron din silang pinagkagastusan malamang nung nahirapan silang pumalaot. So hindi namin mamanduhin sa kanila yan, kasi tulad ng sinabi ko. Kapag binigay yan, depende, we have to empower ang ating mga beneficiaries magdesisyon para sa kanilang mga sarili kung ano ba dapat ang paggamitan ng perang yon. Pero reminder namin wag naman ilustay sa maling bagay at gamitin para sa mga hanapbuhay na naapektuhan nung El Nino,” Secretary Gatchalian said when asked on how the DSWD would sustain the assistance rendered to the beneficiaries.

DSWD MIMAROPA Asst. Regional Director for Operations (ARDO)Sheila Tapia and the Social Welfare and Development Team (SWADT) of Romblon headed by Abegail Fetilo facilitated the distribution of the AKAP financial assistance.

In the aid-giving in Puerto Princesa City,  President Marcos led the distribution of various government assistance to the residents of Palawan and to select local government units in the MIMAROPA Region.

“Hindi lingid sa amin na matindi ang naging epekto ng nagdaang El Niño sa inyong mga sakahan at pala-isdaan. Ayon sa aming huling datos, umabot sa higit tatlong bilyong piso ang sektor ng agrikultura dito sa MIMAROPA sanhi ng matinding tagtuyot. Kaya’t marapat lamang  na naman namin kayo ng tulong upang maka-ahon kayo sa pagsubok na ninyo,” President Marcos told the beneficiaries present at the Edward S. Hagedorn Coliseum.

As announced by the President, the DSWD Field Office MIMAROPA, led by Regional Director Leo Reynoso distributed, Php10,000 each to some 4,000 farmers and fisherfolk from the DSWD’s AKAP program.

Officials who were at the aid-giving activity in Romblon include Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos, Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francis Laurel, and DSWD Undersecretary for Operations Monina  Josefina Romualdez. #