P54.5M released to farmers, fisherfolk affected by Taal eruption

AGRICULTURAL interventions worth P54.4 million have been distributed to farmers and fisherfolk in various Batangas towns that were affected by the Taal Volcano eruption in January this year. The Department of Agriculture (DA)-Calabarzon regional office, together with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), distributed farm inputs and other assistance to farmers in the towns of San Nicolas, Laurel, Mataas na Kahoy, and Agoncillo. The aid package includes carabaos, cattle feeds, vitamins and antibiotics, certified seeds, complete fertilizers, urea fertilizers, muriate of potash, agricultural lime, and power sprayers, among others. Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar rallied the beneficiaries, citing agriculture was the only sector to post growth in the second quarter as the economy was dragged down by the coronavirus pandemic. “Farmers and fishers are our frontliners. You are heroes in your own areas. May you continue to farm and fish because together, we will increase our food sufficiency level and soon we may no longer have to rely on importation,” Mr. Dar said. Batangas 3rd District Rep. Maria Theresa V. Collantes, in a message, said the interventions help Batangas farmers to fully recover from the damage caused by the Taal Volcano eruption. DA Regional Director Arnel V. de Mesa assured that the agency will continue to support farmers and fisherfolk affected by calamities. “We will never grow tired of helping farmers because they never grow tired of providing us with top-quality produce. Together, we will achieve food resiliency, with substantial increase in production and income for our farmers and fishers,” Mr. de Mesa said. —