Over 6,000 farmers in Albay to receive P10,200 cash assistance amid Mayon's unrest

More than 6,000 farmers in Albay will receive P10,200 cash assistance starting Tuesday after the ashfall from Mayon Volcano’s unrest affected agriculture in the province, Governor Noel Rosal said Monday.

“So bukas po immediate ang response ng ating national government…6,411 to be exact ang magre-receive ng P10,200 na mga farmers na inabot ng ashfall at 'yung tinatamaan ng 6-kilometer danger zone. So malaking bagay po ito dahil at least 'yung pagkain nila binibigay na natin. Ito naman para sa mga pamilya nila, may pera sila,” he said in an interview with Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.

(So, the national government’s response tomorrow will be immediate... Exactly 6,411 farmers who were affected by the ashfall and those within the 6-kilometer danger zone will receive P10,200. This is a big help because while we are already providing their food, this gives their families cash to spend [on necessities].)

Preliminary assessments by the Department of Agriculture (DA) show that 102 hectares of crops within the 6-kilometer radius zone have been damaged, resulting in production losses of 364 metric tons.

The impact on local agriculture includes the loss of 33 cattle. Furthermore, the DA said that over 534 hectares of farmland inside the Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) are currently at risk, consisting of roughly 335 hectares of corn, 180 hectares of high-value crops, and nearly 20 hectares of fruit-bearing trees.

The Albay governor added that the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) is also expected to provide cash assistance soon to 20,000 farmers under its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.

“In the next two weeks, papasok naman 'yung DOLE, 'yung TUPAD, para sa mga magsasaka natin. So P4,550 ‘yun, marami na ‘yun, sinabay na natin yung ibang farmers na hindi makabalik sa six-kilometers. So 20,000 ang makakatanggap ng P4,550, this time naman sa DOLE,” said Rosal.

(In the next two weeks, DOLE will step in with the TUPAD program for our farmers. That will be P4,550—which is a lot—and we’ve included other farmers who are unable to return to the six-kilometer zone. So, 20,000 people will receive P4,550, this time from DOLE. )

Tourism

On the other hand, Mayon’s unrest has also affected Albay’s tourism sector, particularly hosting of events.

“Safe naman sa Legazpi at Daraga, pero ang naapektuhan kami - 'yung mga supposedly activities - conventions and MICE, siyempre 'yung ibang nagka-cancel. Ang medyo malungkot dito, 'yung hotel naka-book na, kina-cancel,” said Rosal.

(Legazpi and Daraga are safe, but what has been affected are our supposed activities—conventions and MICE [Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions]; naturally, some are cancelling. The sad part is that hotels that were already booked are seeing cancellations. )

In response, the provincial government will also provide assistance to affected businesses.

“Magbibigay tayo sa mga trabahante, especially 'yung mga no-work, no-pay. So magbibigay tayo hindi lang sa mga farmers, kundi pati rin 'yung mga apektadong mga Albayanos. Pinapaabrubahan ko na ‘yan. Then transport kasi itong sa mga restaurant, hotel, na mabigyan natin ng kahit man lang pandagdag sa matrikula ng kanilang mga anak,” said Rosal.

(We will provide for the workers, especially those on a 'no-work, no-pay' basis. So we will give aid not just to the farmers, but also to other affected Albayanos. I am currently getting that approved. Then there is transport assistance for those in restaurants and hotels, so we can give them something to at least help with their children's tuition fees.)

Alert Level 3 remains hoisted over Mayon Volcano. —KG, GMA News