CITY OF MALOLOS- Some 1,069 farmers and fishermen from the towns of San Miguel, Obando, and San Rafael received financial assistance worth P5,000, food packs, and fertilizer as part of the Distribution of Rehab Assistance to Farmers Affected by El Niño held at The Pavilion, Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center in the city last Tuesday.
The Provincial Government of Bulacan through the Provincial Agriculture Office conducted the program to provide assistance to farmers whose crops were affected by El Niño in San Miguel and San Rafael, and fishermen from Obando who experienced incidents of fish kill.
“Nararapat lamang na kayo ay alagaan, suportahan, at bigyang pansin sapagkat, unang-una, kayo ang naglalatag at nagbibigay ng pagkain sa hapag-kainan ng mga Pilipino at ng mga Bulakenyo. Salamat po sa inyong pagsusumikap, pagpupursigi,” Gov. Daniel R. Fernando said.
Vice Gov. Alexis C. Castro assured the beneficiaries that the Provincial Government will not neglect the agricultural sector.
According to Jimmy Bernandino, farmer from San Miguel, El Niño has a significant impact on their lives because their income has significantly decreased, which was only sufficient for their daily expenses, therefore, the financial assistance he received will be a great help for him to make a new start on farming activities.
Meanwhile, to ensure the preparedness of Bulakenyos in facing disasters like El Niño and La Niña, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) emphasized the importance of having enough supplies and equipment for the rainy season brought by La Niña.
They advised everyone to have an emergency kit containing food, water, medicine, and other essentials to be prepared for all types of disasters.