Ilocos sur: The Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk (PAFF) program has reached the hinterlands of Ilocos Sur province with 71,805 target beneficiaries, each receiving PHP2,325 in unconditional cash aid, the Department of Agriculture-Ilocos Region (DA-1) reported.

According to Philippines News Agency, Mark Ariel Agresor, DA-1's senior science specialist based in Ilocos Sur, mentioned that their team was at the Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College in Narvacan campus. Here, farmer-beneficiaries from the towns of Santa and Nagbukel received their payouts. The aid aims to provide relief to qualified farmers and fisherfolk mostly affected by oil price hikes and rising costs of agricultural inputs. The unconditional cash assistance program in the province is expected to be completed by June 19.

Under the PAFF program, the Ilocos Region has been allocated PHP1.1 billion for 480,080 target beneficiaries. The assistance targets rice farmers tilling two hectares or less, as well as corn and sugarcane farmers registered under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture. Fisherfolk registered under the National Program for Municipal Fishing Vessels and Gears Registration are also included in the unconditional cash assistance program.