Davao Region provinces received close to PHP60 million cash assistance on Thursday under the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families (PAFF) program to help Dabaonons affected by the El Niño phenomenon.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led here the distribution to the beneficiaries in Davao del Norte (PHP10 million), Davao de Oro (PHP10 million), and Davao Oriental (PHP10 million).

On the same day, Marcos also personally distributed PHP19.5 million to Davao del Sur, and PHP10 million to Davao Occidental in Digos City.

“Some 10,000 beneficiaries from all provinces of Davao Region will also receive PHP10,000 each. Here in Davao del Norte, about PHP10 million worth of assistance for the farmers and fisherfolk will be distributed,” Marcos said during the distribution activity here.

Marcos assured farmers and fisherfolk that the government will not abandon them amid the challenges brought by the El Niño phenomenon, which affected their livelihoods.

Government data showed that over 1,000 families from 16 barangays in the region were greatly affected by El Niño, with an estimated damage cost of PHP50 million.

The President said the government aid includes rice assistance from the office of House Speaker Martin Romualdez and the PHP15 million worth of 19,000 food packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Jose Maria Villarama II, Presidential Communications Office Assistant Secretary for Radio, said this is the fourth time the President visited Mindanao to distribute assistance.

“During the onset of the El Niño phenomenon, our President was very concerned about the welfare of our fishermen and farmers. He figured out that his office could help through the PAFF, and that’s when the program started,” Villarama said, adding that the Department of Agriculture identified the beneficiaries.

“The regional field offices validated and assisted the affected farmers and fisherfolk. It is easy to identify them because they are provinces that have already declared a state of calamity,” he said.

In an interview at the sidelines, Davao de Oro Governor Dorothy Gonzaga said the PHP10 million aid will be directly given to the farmers and fisherfolk.

“There will be a deed of donation, and we will wait for the authority from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for us to sign and accomplish. After that, all systems go to the distribution,” she said. (PNA)