CANDABA, Pampanga — “Egana-ganang tau Candaba, kaluguran ku.”
These words from Gov. Lilia “Nanay” Pineda resonated anew as she, together with Vice Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda, personally led the distribution of over ₱10.8-million financial assistance to 11 irrigators’ associations in Barangay Salapungan here on July 8.
A total of ₱10,847,455 in checks was handed over to the Akbay-Unlad Irrigators’ Association, Amor Irrigators’ Association, Barangka Candaba Communal Irrigators Services Association, Buklod ng Pagmamahalan Irrigators’ Association, Bulaklak ng Kasaganaan Irrigators’ Association, Kaluguran Irrigators’ Association, Magaan Irrigators’ Association, Marangle Irrigators’ Association, Pinag-isang Damdamin sa Patubugan Irrigators’ Association, Punlod Irrigators’ Association, and Virgen Farmer Irrigators’ Association.
“Sobra la pu karagul a saup kekami. Ali mu pu financial subsidy ing karelang bibie, fuel, mamie la pa pung aliwa-aliwang bini at retang agricultural needs ning kekaming barangay o nokarin man pu keng Pampanga. Ita pung dapat na panggastus mi keng farm mi, asi-save mi no pu keng sarili mi kasi nga pu atin la pung bibie ri Gov. Nanay ampo Vice Gov. Delta na talaga naman pung makasaup kekami. Anya maragul ke pu pasalamat karela,” said Amelita Reyes Perez, 65, chairperson of Bulaklak ng Kasaganaan Irrigators’ Association.
In addition to the aid received by the associations, individual members registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) also received ₱2,000 cash assistance each.
This initiative is part of the provincial government’s larger El Niño response program that began in 2024. Following requests from affected sectors in 2023, the provincial disaster risk reduction and management council — chaired by Vice Gov. Delta during his term as governor—approved Resolutions No. 3 and 7-2024 on May 31, 2024. These resolutions allocated ₱40-million to fund agricultural and livelihood interventions, including the procurement of farming equipment, irrigation and water supply tools, fuel, materials, and various forms of subsidies for farmers, fisherfolks, poultry raisers, and other vulnerable groups.
“Patipa na ku pung governor kanita anyang inumpisan mi ya ini, at ngeni pung i Nanay na ing governor at chair na ning PDRRMC, ali ya pu mig-atubiling i-approve ing budget para misundu ya ini,” said Delta.
Since its rollout on June 20, 2024, the program has aided 75 irrigators’ associations and 6,664 farmers—₱31,796,455 worth of assistance in total.
Also present during the activity were 4th District boardmMember Kaye Naguit, Candaba Mayor Rene Maglanque, Vice Mayor Thelma Macapagal, some municipal councilors, PDRRMO Janica Yambao, and provincial agriculturist Jimmy Manliclic.
Pampanga PIO/Photos: Daniel Ombina
