Over 2K Oriental Mindoro farmers, fisherfolks receive aid amid fuel price hike

Around 2,000 farmers and 700 fisherfolk in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro have received cash assistance under the government’s Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk Program (PAFFP) to help them amid the rising fuel prices. 

The beneficiaries received P2,325 financial aid at Kalap Gymnasium last Tuesday, April 28. Calapan City was the first local government unit in the MIMAROPA region to distribute assistance through PAFFP, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said. 

“Alam natin na mabigat ang epekto ng pagtaas ng presyo ng krudo. Lahat ng sektor ay apektado, lalong lalo na ang sektor ng agrikultura at pangisdaan na pangunahin nating pinagkukunan ng pagkain at materyales,” said BFAR National Director Elizer Salilig in a statement. 

(We know that the rising price of fuel has a heavy impact. Every sector is affected, especially the agriculture and fisheries sectors, which are our primary sources of food and materials.) 

“Kaya naman sa ganitong panahon, patuloy na sisikapin ng ating ahensya, kaagapay ang DA at ang programa ng pangulo na PAFFP, na makapagbigay ng tulong sa ating mga kababayang nasa sektor ng pangisdaan,”  he added. 

(That is why during these times, our agency—alongside the DA and the President's PAFFP program—will continue to strive to provide aid to our fellow citizens in the fisheries sector. ) 

Further, BFAR MIMAROPA noted that beneficiaries who missed the initial payout can still receive their assistance at the DA MIMAROPA office in Camilmil, Calapan City on scheduled weekdays. 

A ₱10 billion allocation has been designated for the PAFFP targeting approximately 400,000 eligible fishers, said BFAR.

Eligibility is strictly validated via the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture and BoatR databases to streamline government intervention, with payouts scheduled to continue through the second quarter. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/AOL, GMA News