Ilocos norte: Farmers in Ilocos Norte province continue to receive additional aid from national and local governments to cushion the impact of rising fuel and food prices.
According to Philippines News Agency, in Sarrat town, municipal agriculturist Esteban Mario Ballesteros announced in a media interview that 1,620 registered farmers received family food packs (FFPs) from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
"We received additional aid from the DSWD through the provincial government of Ilocos Norte," Ballesteros said, noting that the same farmer-beneficiaries had earlier received a fuel subsidy of PHP1,500 each from the municipal government in April. This initiative was affirmed by farmer Delie Ganal, an FFP and fuel subsidy recipient from Sarrat town, who expressed relief at the government's support in these challenging times.
Reynante Gudoy, another farmer, expressed hope for more aid, emphasizing the need for support for tricycle drivers, who are also severely affected by the ongoing crisis. Even before the Middle East tensions began, the provincial government, alongside various agencies, had been distributing agricultural inputs, farm machinery, and livelihood assistance to individuals and farmers' organizations.
Currently, 37,500 low-income households across the province are set to receive 10 kilograms of rice each. The rice distribution is funded by the Department of the Interior and Local Government via its Local Government Support Fund. Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos stated that this program was initiated by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and has become even more relevant under the current crisis. The provincial government has been actively distributing rice across towns and cities in Ilocos Norte since last week.
In addition to rice and fuel subsidies, the provincial government's 'Agri Ka Dito' program continues to provide livelihood and transportation assistance to farmers. This flagship initiative supports community farmers and fisherfolk by offering immediate aid amid rising agricultural input costs. Farmers and fisherfolk can access assistance through hotlines from the Provincial Agriculture Office and the Sustainable Development Center, requesting various types of support including marketing, transportation, and insurance.
Recent government data indicates that over PHP2 billion has been invested in this program to bolster the province's agriculture sector, underscoring its role as an economic powerhouse.
