SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – Farmers and fisherfolk affected by the El Niño phenomenon in this province will soon receive cash assistance from the provincial government.

DAVID (FB)

Gov. Raphaelle Veronica Ortega-David said they enacted Provincial Ordinance No. 425-2023 that provides cash assistance amounting to P8,000 or P10,000 to farmers and fisherfolk who have partial and total crop damages, respectively.

The ordinance, also known as the Agricultural Emergency Trust Fund, appropriated P3 million and will benefit around 300 farmers.

“The ordinance’s implementing rules and regulations were recently approved and hence we are now ready to implement it and provide timely assistance to affected agricultural workers,” said acting Provincial Agriculturist Sharon Viloria.

To avail of the financial assistance, affected farmers must send an application letter and duly-accomplished application form to the Office of Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG). The applications shall be endorsed to the 
city or municipal agriculture office that will facilitate the validation of the reported damages to assess actual cost and losses.

The applicant must be a member of an accredited farmer or fisherfolk cooperative.

Passed into law on July 28, 2023, the ordinance aims to capacitate local farmers and fisherfolks whose livelihood are usually impaired by natural calamities that are frequent in the country such as the current El Nino.

OPAG continues to monitor and assess the reported damages of farmers in the province for the provision of the emergency trust fund.

“Our agenda to promote the welfare of our agricultural workers is aligned with the province’s vision to become the Heart of Agri-Tourism in Northern Luzon by 2025,” David said.