LEGAZPI CITY, ALBAY – In his commitment to support those greatly affected farmers and fisherfolks by the El Niño phenomenon, and the persistently rising inflation, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., thru the Department of Social Welfare and Development, provided significant and timely financial aid to over 5,000 farmers and fisherfolks and other vulnerable sectors in Albay and Camarines Sur.

On June 7, 2024, at the Albay Astrodome, the beneficiaries received PHP 10,000 each under the distribution of the Presidendial Assistance to farmers and fisherfolks (PAFF), while 276 beneficiaries from multisectors received 3,000 each under the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita program (AKAP) in Camarines Sur. These aid, amounting to more than PHP 50 Million, aims to alleviate the crisis faced by these farmers, fisherfolks and their families.

President Marcos, recognizing the severe impact of El Niño on agricultural and fishing activities, is continuously reinforcing his administration’s commitment thru PAFF-AKAP by providing immediate relief and ensuring the sustainability of livelihoods in severley affected areas.

“Nandito po kami, kasama ang ilang ahensya para personal an maghatid ng tulong. Hindi lingid sa kaalaman ng lahat na marami talaga ang tinamaan nitong El Niño dito sa Albay, pati na rin sa inyong mga karatig probinsya,” his excellency conveyed.

(We are here, along with some agencies, to personally deliver aid. It is well known that many have been affected by El Niño here in Albay, as well as in your neighboring provinces.)

DSWD is the lead government agency mandated to develop, implement, and coordinate social protection and poverty reduction solutions for the Filipino people.

The DSWD’s AKAP initiative highlights the administration’s dedication to aiding vulnerable communities and ensuring food security in the face of environmental challenges. This assistance is expected not only to provide immediate relief but also to enable affected families to recover and sustain their livelihoods during these difficult times.

DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, DSWD Undersecretary for Operations Group, Monina Josefina H. Romualdez, DSWD Bicol Regional Director Norman S. Laurio, and other Local Government officials and representatives from various participating agencies joined President Marcos in the distribution ceremony, demonstrating a united effort to address the impacts of climate change on the country’s agricultural and fishing sector.

With a vision of a society where the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized are empowered for an improved quality of life, DSWD remains committed to delivering efficient, timely and responsive social services across the nation.

Eduardo Alberto Gnilo, 60, a member farmer of the Tagoytoy Farmers Association of Camalig, Albay, expressed his sincerest gratitude to the people who have been instrumental in providing this financial assistance to their sector. Farming is his source of income to provide the needs of his family. According to Gnilo, the drought he and the other farmers experienced this year caused them significant debt.

“Laking pasasalamat ko po sa DSWD, kay Secretary Rex at kay Presidente [Marcos] para sa financial assistance mula sa AKAP dahil malaking tulong po ito sa aming mga magsasaka para po muling maibalik ang aming mga naluging kita para sa ani ng nakaraang mga buwan.”

(I am very grateful to the DSWD, Secretary Rex, and President [Marcos] for the financial assistance thru AKAP because this is a great help to us farmers in recovering our lost income from the past months’ harvests.)

The provision of financial assistance through AKAP to individuals and families with limited income, particularly those affected by natural disasters and other socio-economic challenges, is a testament to the commitment of the agency to support the resilience and recovery of the most vulnerable sectors of society.###