Bago city: Some 7,947 farmers in Bago City and Pulupandan in Negros Occidental have received cash aid under the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk (PAFF) program, data from the Department of Agriculture-Negros Island Region (DA-NIR) showed.

According to Philippines News Agency, the beneficiaries include rice farmers Emalyn Morales of Barangay Busay and Jerson Esparas of Barangay Napoles. They have each received financial assistance of PHP2,325, which they can utilize for household expenses. Morales expressed her gratitude, stating, "I'm really thankful for being one of the recipients. This is a big help, I can buy rice and provide for my child's school needs," in an interview posted by the Bago City Information Office.

The cash distribution event took place at the Manuel Y. Torres Memorial Coliseum and Cultural Center in Bago City on June 11. These farmers from Bago City are part of the larger group of 128,049 farmers in Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor, who are covered by the PHP297.7 million allocation for PAFF under the DA-NIR.

DA-NIR Director Jose Albert Barrogo explained, "This is the assistance from the President. In Bago City, we released the PAFF for rice, corn, and sugarcane farmers. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources is in charge of the release of the financial assistance for fisherfolk." The recipients are farmers registered under the DA Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture, receiving financial aid to help them manage rising production costs, high fuel prices, and other challenges.

In Negros Occidental, data showed that 75,307 beneficiaries are covered by an allocation of PHP175.088 million, which includes 57,389 rice farmers, 6,370 corn farmers, and 11,548 sugarcane farmers. Negros Oriental has an allocation of PHP115.696 million for 49,762 beneficiaries, encompassing 20,015 rice farmers, 6,370 corn farmers, and 692 sugarcane farmers. Meanwhile, in Siquijor, 2,980 rice farmers have been allocated PHP6.928 million.