City of San Fernando, Pampanga — Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda convened twenty (20) irrigators’ associations from various cities and municipalities to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the provision of financial assistance at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Session Hall on Tuesday, June 4.
In 2023, a total of 27 associations approached the office of the governor seeking assistance due to the effects of El Niño.
“Malaking bagay po para sa aming mga lider na mayroong lumalapit sa amin para magsabi ng kanilang mga pangangailangan. Dahil sa dami po ng barangay rito sa ating probinsya, nahihirapan din po kami na malaman lahat ng mga problema. Kaya maraming salamat po dahil ipinaabot niyo po sa amin ito, sana po kahit paano’y makatulong kami sa inyo,” said Gov. Delta.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), chaired by Gov. Delta, approved Resolutions No. 3 and 7-2024. These resolutions allocated ₱40-million for various activities and interventions, including the provision of agricultural, water, and irrigation equipment, supplies, fuel, materials, subsidies, and other forms of assistance to farmers, fisherfolks, poultry owners, and other vulnerable sectors affected by the El Niño phenomenon.
Out of the 27 associations, 20 successfully met the necessary requirements, positioning them as the initial recipients eligible to receive the assistance.
As stated under the MOA signed by Gov. Delta and each association leader, in the presence of Board Member Jun Canlas, Provincial Agriculturist Jimmy Manliclic, and PDRRMO Chief Angelina Blanco, the financial assistance aims to mitigate the impact of El Niño to the agriculture sector and must be used according to the terms and conditions set forth by the council.
“Ito po ay malaking, malaking tulong sa amin, lalo na’t gumagamit kami ng makina, diesel, para makahigop ng tubig mula sa sapa. Kaya itong financial assistance na ito, napakalaking tulong po sa amin,” said Gilberto Guina, Vice Chairperson of the Maunlad na Candating Sapang Paitan Farmers Irrigators’ Association.
To further support the agricultural community in coping with the challenges posed by El Niño, the provincial government plans to visit barangays to distribute cash assistance directly to associations’ individual members registered in the Registry System for the Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA).
This initiative underscores Gov. Delta’s commitment to securing food security, which is among his 12-point development agenda announced during his assumption to office. -Jasmine Jaso/GO