By Junex Doronio
MANILA — The government has given P1.1 billion worth of financial assistance, gas assistance, food packs, and equipment to farmers and families affected by El Niño.
This was revealed on Friday (5 April 2024) by Task Force El Niño spokesperson Joey Villarama as nearly 20 local government units (LGU) have declared a state of calamity due to the scorching heat.
“May iba tayong naririnig na lalawigan na nagma-mull o nag-iisip mag-declare ng state of calamity pero po kailangan po pasok sa criteria. Dapat 15 percent ng populasyon ay apektado, 30 percent ng kabuhayan ay apektado at may structures na dapat din apektado,” Villarama said.
He disclosed that the areas under a state of calamity include Oriental Mindoro, and some municipalities in Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Romblon, Ifugao, Antique, and Zamboanga City.
According to data from the Department of Agriculture (DA), agricultural damage due to El Niño has reached P2.63 billion.
“Hindi naman mao-offset ‘yong damage na P2.63 bilyon nung P1 bilyong tulong, ngunit kahit papaano po, naibsan ang paghihirap ng mga mamamayan na apektado ng El Niño. Farmers ang apektado sa mga sakahan ngunit ang pamilya nila, in terms of individuals, ang apektado ay mga kalahating milyon, hindi lamang mga magsasaka, ang tulong ay para sa kanilang immediate family,” Villara explained.
(el Amigo/MNM)
