The Ayuda para sa Kapos Ang Kita Program (AKAP) of DSWD helped 13,010 farmers, fishermen, and families severely affected by the El Nino phenomenon in Central Visayas.

Beneficiaries received the aid of PHP 10,000 each during the distribution of the Presidential Assistance for Farmers, Fisherfolks, and Families (PAFFF) that the Office of the President initiated. President Ferdinand R. Marcos distributed the cash assistance in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, and Tagbilaran City, Bohol, on June 27 and 28, 2024, respectively.

To help these sectors, which have been reeling from the effects of the dry spell and high inflation, DSWD, through the local social welfare and development offices, identified beneficiaries from the different towns and cities of Bohol and Negros Oriental provinces.

The Department provided cash aid through AKAP, a social protection program of the Department that gives cash aid to individuals and families belonging to minimum-wage earners who may have regular income but not enough for their daily subsistence.

Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero and DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian accompanied the President in the distribution.

“The President instructed us to ensure that 20,000 beneficiaries from the agriculture and fisheries sector, as well as families affected by high inflation, will be provided with DSWD assistance,” Lucero said.

According to her, DSWD Field Office VII served 5,901 beneficiaries for Negros Oriental and 7,109 for Bohol with PHP 130.1 million worth of assistance, while others are yet to receive the aid through validation and payout until the end of July.

Other government agencies, such as DTI, DOLE, TESDA, and the Office of the House Speaker, assisted the affected sectors. Their assistance includes agri-fishery packages, farm machinery, fishing equipment, seeds, and fertilizers to help these sectors from the effects of the crisis.

Addressing the beneficiaries, President Marcos said that the assistance is a whole of government approach of his administration in responding to the needs of the Filipino people.

“This is our way to uplift the lives and welfare of every Filipino and help communities recover from the El Nino crisis that hit our country. Because our promise in the Bagong Pilipinas is that no one should be left behind,” the country’s chief executive said on July 27 at the Lamberto Macias Sports Complex in Dumaguete City and Pres. Carlos P. Garcia Sports Complex in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. ###

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