BACOLOD CITY – The city government and the province of Negros Occidental received financial assistance of P60 million from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during his visit here on Thursday, June 27.

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. turns over a check for P50 million to Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R) in Bacolod City on Thursday, June 27. (Photo courtesy of Capitol PIO)

Marcos turned over P10 million to Mayor Albee Benitez and P50 million to Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson as the President led the ceremonial distribution of over P600-million worth of cash assistance under the Presidential Assistance for Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families (PAFFF) program, agricultural projects, and other assistance from the national government at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R) here.

The additional P60-million monetary support was sourced from the OP-Socio Civic Project Funds.

Lacson, in his message, said that the financial aid and additional resources that the President provided to those severely affected by El Niño will result in significant relief and bring hope to many in the province.

“Your Excellency, Mr. President, the comprehensive aid you will give out, in the form of financial support, agricultural inputs, the infrastructure development, including the improvement of irrigation systems and provincial access roads, the technical assistance, and the livelihood support, will undoubtedly recharge and revitalize our agricultural sector despite the drought,” Lacson said.

Your commitment to uplifting the agricultural sector in a predominantly agricultural province like ours is greatly appreciated and your concern to the Negrenses is truly felt, he added.

Benitez said that the benefits of these assistance to this city are immense, as it will not only boost the agricultural productivity and economic stability of the farmers and fisherfolk, but also enhance the overall resilience and sustainability of tish city.

He added that these will create new opportunities for growth and development, ensuring a better quality of life for the people of Bacolod.

Benitez said that by providing resources and support, the people are assured that the agricultural sector can thrive, even in the face of climate challenges and economic difficulties.

“You are providing relief to economic stress experienced by our farmers and fisherfolk and promoting sustainable livelihoods. This strengthens the disaster resilience of our communities,” he added.

Some 8,315 farmers and fisherfolk  received P10,000 each, totaling P83.15 million, from  the PAFFF funded by the Office of the President. 

Four-thousand are from this city while others were from various localities in the province.

Aside from the financial support, P457.897-million worth of assistance were also distributed to individual farmers, farmers cooperatives and associations, and local government units (LGUs) in the province.

These include P143.723 million from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization, Philippine Rice Research Institute, Philippine Coconut Authority, and Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), as well as indemnity for farmers from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. and interventions from the Department of Agriculture (DA), which include small irrigation projects, planting materials, hauling trucks, swine and goat multiplier farms, corn seeds and fertilizers, rice hybrid seeds, and rice fertilizer discount vouchers amounting to P314.174 million.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) also funded P1.05 million for the two shared service facilities that will benefit the Murcia Integrated Mushroom Growers Association and the Association of Negros Producers while the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) allotted P477,620 worth of starter tool kits and training support funds for the beneficiaries. 

Thirteen barangays from Silay City received a total of P5.179 million under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) or emergency employment program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for the wages of 1,079 beneficiaries.

“Mga kababayan, ako ay nasasabik na makita ang kalalabasan ng lahat ng ito, pati na rin sa magiging epekto nito sa ekonomiya ng inyong lokalidad, lalo na ngayong bahagi na kayo ng bagong Negros Island Region (NIR),” Marcos said in his message.

The President signed the Negros Island Region (NIR) Act into law this month.

The NIR is composed of the provinces of Negros Occidental (including Bacolod City), Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.

The President cited projects that would benefit the people of this city and the province such as the Bacolod-Negros Occidental Economic Highway and the Asenso Yuhum Residences here.