By Henry Empeño | August 20, 2024

IBA, Zambales — The provincial government of Zambales on Monday distributed cash assistance worth a total of P10 million to 1,000 farming families and fisherfolk in the province who were affected by the El Niño phenomenon.

Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., who led in the distribution, said the assistance came from the office of President Marcos who released a P10-million cheque for Zambales last July 12 in San Fernando, Pampanga, along with assistance for other provinces in Central Luzon.

“This fund came directly from the President and we have, in turn, allocated the money to local farmers and fishermen who were affected by El Niño the most,” Ebdane said during the awarding at the Botolan People’s Plaza in Botolan, Zambales.

The beneficiaries, who were vetted by the Zambales Provincial Agriculture Office, received P10,000 each.

Regional Executive Director Eduardo Lapuz of the Department of Agriculture’s Regional Field Office III, Zambales Provincial Agriculturist Crisostomo Rabaca, Central Luzon Social Welfare and Development Regional Director Venus Rebuldela, Zambales Board Member Lugil Ragadio, who chairs the Provincial Board’s Committee on Agriculture and Fishery, and Botolan Mayor Jun Omar Ebdane assisted in the distribution.

El Niño, which creates conditions like long dry spells and warmer sea surface temperature, results in agricultural damage and water shortages, and was felt throughout the country.

Ebdane said Pres. Marcos distributed a total of P311.16 million in financial assistance for farmers and fishermen affected by El Niño in the provinces of Zambales, Pampanga, Bataan, Bulacan, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija.

“We are thankful to the President for this assistance, and we hope that this would help ease the loss of income among farmers and fisherfolk because of this weather phenomenon,” Ebdane added.

Meanwhile, Ebdane also gave away on Monday a tricycle unit to the Municipal Federation of Senior Citizens Association (FSCAP) of Castillejos, Zambales.

The “Sulong Senior Tricycle Service” will make it easier for FSCAP to deliver services to senior citizens in the municipality, said FSCAP president Leodegario Sagum. (30)

PHOTO:

Gov. Ebdane along with farmers and fisherfolk who received P10,000 cash assistance each during the awarding ceremony at the Botolan People’s Plaza on Monday, August 19.