President Rodrigo Duterte distributed an initial P160 million worth of agriculture, fishery and livelihood assistance to farmers, fishers and other ruralfolk affected by the eruption of the Taal Volcano in simple ceremonies recently held at the Batangas City Sports Complex, which now serves as an evacuation center.
The President was joined by Senator Bong Go, Agriculture Secretary William Dar, Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas, and other national and local government officials during the dialogue and handover of various assistance.
“The immediate normalization of the situation should be the government’s priority.”
In his message to the evacuees, humanitarian volunteers and local government officials, Duterte said the immediate normalization of the situation should be the government’s priority in times of typhoons and other natural disasters.
“Itong mga kalamidad ay nangyayari po sa buong bayan at kailangan po na may gagawin tayo na tinatawag na maibaba man lang ang kahirapan at ang danger ‘pag pumutok ang mga ito,” Duterte said.
Government interventions and assistance should be swiftly provided to victims and their families, so they can go back to normal life immediately, the President added. He reiterated that all the national government agencies are ready to assist affected citizens.
For his part, Dar assured farmers and fishers of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) full assistance to help them recover.
“In view of the Department’s efforts to assist farmers and fishers affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano, I have directed the DA family officials and staff to extend full support,” the agriculture chief stressed.
“I am personally seeing to it that all hands in DA are on board.”
“We want fast and concrete actions during this trying time. I am personally seeing to it that all hands in DA are on board to deliver the services to our farmers and fishers, and the general public that depends on the sustainability of our food supply,” the agriculture chief said.
He said respective DA family agencies are crafting a comprehensive rehabilitation plan that includes appropriate measures and interventions for immediate implementation once volcanic activities cease, and thus safe to resume farming and fishing activities.