Some 240 small entrepreneurs and over 1,000 farmers are recipients of assistance worth over PHP3 million from national government agencies.
Lambunao acting municipal social welfare officer, Althea L. Lacuesta, in an interview Monday, said the town was allocated PHP2.4 million for 240 recipients of financial assistance from the Office of the President through the provincial government of Iloilo.
Each beneficiary received PHP10,000 which was released under the Livelihood Assistance Grant (LAG) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
“They have to use the fund for their livelihood, for small business. We have here sari-sari stores and fish vendors,” she said in an interview during the distribution held at the town sports center.
Lambunao has the highest allocation among the six municipalities in Iloilo that were provided with funds to help small entrepreneurs whose livelihood was affected by the health pandemic.
On the other hand, Lambunao municipal agriculturist Pablito Leal said some 175 farmers whose crops were damaged by pests and diseases will receive a total PHP981,975 worth of indemnity from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) on Sept. 16.
“Usually, they belong to the second cropping last year or the dry season from September 2021 until March 2022,” he said in an interview.
Leal said that this year, PCIC allotted insurance coverage for 2,000 hectares where recipient farmers only have to pay PHP50 to cover their personal insurance.
Since the allocation has been used up, farmers already have to get insured under the regular program where they need to pay PHP1,050 per hectare.
“If they feel that their crops are vulnerable to damage, it is encouraged that they get insured,” he said.
Meanwhile, some 843 inbred palay farmers will be receiving their fertilizer vouchers on Sept. 14-16.
The amount of voucher varies because it will depend on the areas that were planted with palay.
The voucher will be presented to accredited suppliers for farmers to claim the fertilizers. (PNA)
