12K individuals from Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya receive aid from GMA Kapuso Foundation

A total of 12,000 individuals from Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya have received help from the GMA Kapuso Foundation as rising fuel costs continue to affect their livelihoods.

In Mel Tiangco's report in "24 Oras" on Wednesday, fruit vendor Greg Arevalo shared the struggles he faces in selling fruits along the roads of Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya.

Arevalo said he temporarily turned to buying from a supplier while waiting for his pineapple crops to be harvested.

However, he lamented that his earnings have significantly dropped due to the rising fuel prices, which also led to fewer customers.

From previously earning as much as P10,000 overnight, Arevalo said he now considers it lucky if he even makes P1,000 in a day.

"Halos mag doble po 'yung presyo ng abono. 'Yung iba pong magpipinya na pinagkukunan namin, tinaas na rin po 'yung puhunan ng pinya," he shared.

Meanwhile, in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija, onion farmers like Nora Dela Cruz said they suffered losses from their harvests in March due to the influx of imported onions in the country.

According to the farmers, the arrival of imported onions coincided with the local harvest season, resulting in an oversupply in the market.

Because of this, they were forced to sell their produce at much lower prices, greatly affecting their income.

"Pagka maibalik 'yung puhunan, sa 40 sa 50 puwede na po 'yun. Kaso naibenta lang 'yung sibuyas, 23, 33 ganun lang ang presyo. 'Di ka makakabawi," Dela Cruz said.

Jerlie Adion, meanwhile, continues to struggle with the high cost of fuel, which remains a major burden in preparing for the next planting season.

According to Adion, they rely on hand tractors for tilling and preparing the land, making the continuous increase in fuel prices an added expense for farmers already dealing with low earnings from their crops.

"Hindi naman kasi puwedeng kalabaw lang ang mag-aararo, bubungkalin kasi lahat ng lupa. Kung hindi kami kikita sa bukid, wala rin kami, puro utang utang," she said.

The Kapuso Foundation extended aid to the farmers who continue to be affected by the high prices of fuel, with food packs distributed to thousands of residents in Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya.

A total of 8,000 individuals from Bongabon and 4,000 individuals from two towns in Nueva Vizcaya received aid.

For those who wish to support GMA Kapuso Foundation's projects, donations may be made via Metrobank, Land Bank, BDO, Bank of Commerce, UnionBank, PNB, Cebuana Lhuillier, GCash, Lazada, Shopee, and Palawan Pay.

Visit the GMA Kapuso Foundation website for more information. —Jade Veronique Yap/MGP, GMA News