CANDABA, Pampanga – A total of P7,788,000 in financial assistance was distributed by the Capitol to 1,947 marginalized farmers at the Candaba Covered Court in Barangay Mandasig on June 19.
The assistance, intended as a response to the decline in the price of palay, was delayed by the election ban imposed by the Commission on Elections on aid distribution.
“Now that the election is over, we immediately delivered this aid on behalf of Governor Delta Pineda. We did not forget you,” said incoming Gov. Lilia “Nanay” Pineda who personally led the distribution.
Beneficiaries from the towns of Apalit, Candaba, Macabebe, Minalin, San Luis, San Simon, and Sto. Tomas each received P4,000 in cash assistance and grocery items — all funded by the Provincial Government of Pampanga through the provincial agriculture, social welfare and development, treasurer’s, disaster risk reduction and management, and information offices.
“This is a big help for our family,” Rey Cunanan of San Miguel, San Simon, one of the beneficiaries, said in gratitude for the assistance.
Joining Pineda in the event were board members Fritzie David-Dizon, Atty. Ananias “Jun” Canlas, and Paul Balingit, along with incoming Candaba Vice Mayor Thelma Macapagal and councilor Queenie Alarcon-Culala.
Gov. Nanay expressed particular gratitude to the local officials of Candaba, saying: “We cannot progress if we do not work together. The province, barangays, and officials must act together to serve our farmers and underprivileged cabalen.”
Meanwhile, provincial agriculturist Jimmy Manliclic said that as a long-term solution, the Capitol has opened two rice processing centers in Pulong Masle, Guagua, and Sta. Catalina, Lubao where farmers can sell their palay directly at higher prices.
Additionally, when market prices drop, the Capitol will provide a P2 per kilo subsidy to maintain farmers’ income.
Aside from agricultural aid, medical assistance from the Capitol is also available where cabalens, especially farmers, can approach their barangay health workers or local leaders to access needed medical services.
JPM/Pampanga PIO
