THE Philippine Air Force (PAF) will conduct cloud seeding operations over Magat Dam this week to aid farmers with their irrigation needs, Malacañang said Monday.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Department of Agriculture (DA) coordinated with PAF to address the problem of farmers in Cagayan Valley who were experiencing the effects of the dry season.
“The DA is providing seeds and fertilizer to our farmers. Those farmers who were tilling two hectares and below have received free fertilizer and seeds this planting season,” she said in Filipino.
“And as a response to El Niño, it is now being discussed to provide assistance to those who will be affected by it, especially those who cannot plant due to lack of water,” Castro added.
Meanwhile, she said the government recently distributed over P174.6 million cash aid and other assistance to more than 20,000 workers, farmers and other beneficiaries n Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental and Siquijor.
“The president wanted to expand job opportunities and livelihood while strengthening the newly created Negros Island Region,” Castro said.
She said Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino led the distribution of the livelihood grants under the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), in coordination with the Danawan Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association.
Castro said DOLE has continued to extend its help and services to the public to provide long-term livelihoods and support assistance in various projects including agribusiness, rice and corn milling, rice trading, livestock production, vegetable farming, and small businesses.
The DOLE has also distributed funds for Tupad (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers), an emergency employment program that provides temporary wage work for displaced, underemployed, and seasonal workers.
The Labor department also offered temporary work for thousands of beneficiaries in Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, and Siquijor.
