P80-M aid for Negrense farmers hit by El Niño

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to distribute P80 million to Negrense beneficiaries affected by the El Niño phenomenon under the Philippine Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families (PAFFF) program today, June 27, 2024, at the University of Negros Occidental Recoletos athletic field.

Presidential Communication Office Assistant Secretary for Television Dale de Vera told reporters in a press briefing Tuesday evening that President Marcos Jr. will be joined by First Lady Liza Araneta, who will also hold her “Lab for All” activity at the said school.

De Vera said the President will visit Antique first before heading to Bacolod and will then proceed to Dumaguete for similar activities.

He mentioned that there will be a ceremonial distribution of P10,000 each to at least 10 beneficiaries, with the rest of the financial assistance to be turned over to the local chief executives of the affected localities.

The financial aid will subsequently be distributed to the beneficiaries in their respective localities, validated by the Department of Agriculture.

Expected to accompany the President are Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Lagdameo, Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr., and Presidential Communication Office Secretary Cheloy Velecaria-Garafil.

Local officials joining the President will include Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez.