El Niño-hit farmers, fishers in Samar provinces get aid

PRESIDENT Marcos yesterday distributed over PP100 million in financial assistance to farmers and fisherfolk affected by the El Niño phenomenon in Samar, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar.

The President handed P50 million to Samar Gov. Sharee Ann Tan, P25.99 million to Northern Samar Gov. Edwin Marino Ongchuan, and P19.30 million to Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone.

Marcos told the farmers and fisherfolk of the whole-of-government approach to address the effects of the El Niño phenomenon in their province, which affected more than 3,000 families in three municipalities in Samar and Eastern Samar.

He acknowledged the significant contribution of the farmers and fisherfolk to the development of the province and the country as a whole.

Aside from the financial assistance, Marcos said the Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), provided fishing gear and other equipment.