By Mariela Angella Oladive
A total of 1,668 farmers and fisherfolk in Dumangas, Iloilo, each received PHP 10,000 in financial aid on Saturday, October 26, in the final distribution under the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families (PAFFF) program.
The aid, distributed at Haw-as Arena, aims to help agricultural workers recover from significant losses due to the El Niño impact on crops and fisheries.
Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. led the distribution event, joined by Fourth District Rep. Ferjenel Biron, USWAG Partylist Rep. Jojo Ang, Fourth District Board Member Rolando Distura, Dumangas Mayor Braeden John Biron, Dumangas Vice Mayor Ronaldo Golez, Anilao Mayor Lee Ann Debuque, Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Dennis Ventilacion, Provincial Agriculturist Ildefonso Toledo, and other municipal officials.
The provincial government allocated PHP 12.65 million from PAFFF funds, initially provided by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in June. Additional contributions of PHP 1.1 million from Rep. Ang and PHP 2.93 million from Rep. Biron brought the total to PHP 16.68 million.
Prior to this distribution, the Provincial Agriculture Office had provided aid to 3,949 farmers and fisherfolk under the same program.
Governor Defensor highlighted the provincial government’s commitment to agriculture, noting that most Ilonggos rely on farming and fisheries for their livelihoods.
He emphasized new initiatives to improve crop yields, including hybrid rice, irrigation, and rice processing, with a target of six metric tons per hectare.
These efforts are part of Defensor’s Movement for a Robust, Progressive, Globally Competitive, and Resilient (MoRProGRes) Province of Iloilo development program, which focuses on maximizing agricultural output and enhancing agri-tourism.
“We’ll exhaust all resources to achieve six tons per hectare. It’s challenging, but we need a clear direction. We aim to increase our capacity, not just through assistance but by treating agriculture as a sustainable business,” Defensor said, adding that clustering efforts will boost food security and farming access.
Defensor also shared plans to diversify with inland aquaculture as an alternative protein source to pork.
The cash assistance distribution coincided with the opening of the Haw-as Festival, which showcased local agricultural and aquatic products in the municipality.
