The Presidential Assistance for Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families (PAFFF) program of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. continues to aid thousands of beneficiaries in Agusan del Norte, where the three-day payout benefited some 2,826 farmers and fishermen.

Each beneficiary got PHP10,000 in financial assistance, with the distribution being conducted until Friday, the provincial government of Agusan del Norte said.

The aid is part of the PHP28 million fund given by the President when he visited Butuan City last month for the launch of the PAFFF, which intends to provide intervention to farmers, fisherfolk, and their families due to the effects of the recent El Niño phenomenon.

The continuing release of PAFF assistance is being facilitated by the provincial government and the Department of Agriculture in the Caraga Region (DA-13).

“The El Niño phenomenon greatly affected my corn farm with a very low yield. I immediately reported my situation to the local government unit (LGU) for documentation which made me a beneficiary of PAFFF,” corn farmer Francisco Hermoso from the town of Nasipit said in a phone interview on Thursday.

He also urged the other farmers in the town to coordinate with the LGU and concerned agencies on the status of their crops as unstable weather conditions continue to affect the region.

“Now we are experiencing rains as the La Niña phenomenon is approaching. It is important that we are in constant contact with our LGU and concerned agencies for support when needed,” he said.

Another beneficiary, Joben Maglinte, a fisherfolk from Magallanes town, said his fishpond devoted to the production of catfish was also affected by the recent drought.

“The assistance will help me rebuild my fishpond, as some of the funds are enough to buy around 1,000 catfish fingerlings,” he said.

In a statement, DA-13 said the release of PAFFF assistance in various provinces will also start this month.

Marcos, in his visit to the region last June 20, also handed over PAFFF worth PHP46.8 million to the Butuan City government, PHP10.5 million to Surigao del Norte, PHP10 million to Dinagat Islands, PHP12.48 million to Surigao del Sur, and PHP50 million Agusan del Sur. (PNA)