Ilocos norte: Ilocos Norte's provincial government distributed PHP12.6 million in livelihood support to 2,779 farmers and fisherfolk at the Ilocos Norte Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Center on Thursday. The assistance included 363 piglets with starter feed, eight incubator units, seven forage chopper units, and various agricultural inputs such as a weighing scale, cooler, rice seeds, fertilizers, water pumps, grass cutters, and irrigation hose.
According to Philippines News Agency, Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos stated that the amount for this initiative was sourced from the provincial government's share of Republic Act 7171, or the tobacco excise tax. She emphasized the collaboration between the Provincial Veterinary Office and the Office of the Provincial Agriculture in prioritizing the livelihoods of farmers and fisherfolk, whom she referred to as "heroes that feed our families."
Governor Araneta-Marcos highlighted that the provincial government's ongoing "Agri Ka Dito" program is crucial in ensuring food security for families amid the economic challenges posed by the rising cost of living. This initiative continues to roll out support to ensure there is enough food on the table for every family in the province.
A beneficiary of the program, Romeo Dela Cruz, a person with disability and father of two from Barangay Santa Maria, Piddig, expressed gratitude for the livelihood assistance. The piglet and starter feed he received will help him restart his livelihood, giving him the courage to raise pigs once again after the province's recovery from the African swine fever outbreak.
Before the distribution of aid, beneficiaries underwent a thorough selection and validation process via their respective municipal agricultural offices to ensure that the assistance reached those most in need. The provincial government reiterated that the 'Agri Ka Dito' program is designed to help farmers recover and empower communities to rebuild resilient livelihoods, thereby supporting a thriving, sustainable agricultural sector.
