Acting Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda led the distribution of financial assistance on Wednesday to four irrigators’ associations from Arayat and Sta. Ana towns at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center (BZGCC).
Among the recipients were the Barangay Camba Farmers Irrigators Association (P150,000), the Paroba Matamo Agriculture Cooperative (P600,000), the Barangay Sepung Ilog Farmers Irrigators Association (P300,000), and the St. Augustine St. Anne Irrigators Association (P580,000).
Prior to this, a total of 27 irrigators’ associations from various cities and municipalities in the province had already received the same assistance. It can be recalled that the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), chaired by Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda, approved earlier this year, through Resolutions No. 3 and 7-2024, the provision of subsidies for fuel and electricity costs to several irrigators’ associations severely affected by El Niño.
Aside from the subsidies, members of the associations also received cash assistance of P2,000 each and food packs. In her speech, Vice Governor Nanay also urged the beneficiaries to avail themselves of the free medical services offered by the Alagang Nanay Preventive Healthcare Program of the provincial government.
“Inatasan naku pung Gov a lawen lareng masakit bangkanita maulu la at ela lalala,” she said.
The event coincided with the second batch of the distribution of the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk, and their Families (PAFFF) to 622 farmers from various cities and municipalities in the province.
According to the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), the beneficiaries, who received P10,000, were among those who had issues with their documents during the initial distribution in July.
“It’s either na-duplication po sila and for replacement, kasi ‘yung mga nakalista originally ay natanggap na ng ibang assistance from DSWD or other national agencies. ‘Yung iba naman, may errors sa pangalan,” said Engr. Mica Mandia of the Provincial Agricultural Engineering Group.
Also present during the event were Board Members Fritzie David-Dizon, Sajid Khan Eusoof, Lucky Labung, Nelson Calara, Cherry Manalo, Claire Lim, and JC Cruz, Special Assistant to the Governor and PDRRMO Chief Angelina Blanco, Provincial Agriculturist Jimmy Manliclic, and Acting Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Fe Manarang.