The Department of Agriculture (DA) has distributed PHP26.3 million worth of machinery and checks for indemnity and loans in South Cotabato.

In a news release on Tuesday, the DA reported that Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. met with the irrigators group in Koronadal City to lead the distribution of aid together with the National Irrigation Administration.

South Cotabato is one of the provinces affected by the magnitude 6.8 earthquake that hit a large section of Mindanao on Nov. 17.

It killed several people, injured hundreds, and left hundreds of houses and infrastructures damaged.

Laurel also distributed vegetable seeds, coconut and banana planting materials, fertilizers and indemnity claims worth PHP4.7 million in General Santos City.

Laurel visited farmers and fisherfolk in south-central Mindanao to assess their situation and oversee the relief operations on the farmers and fisherfolk affected by the earthquake.

“I want to see first-hand what happened here and how we can help our farmers and fishermen in Region XII, in Gensan and neighboring provinces,” he said.

He noted that the DA has an ongoing field validation in various areas in Soccsksargen affected by the earthquake.

However, 54 people have been master-listed as recipients of new fishing boats and paraphernalia worth an estimated PHP2.08 million.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources is also addressing the damage caused by swells spawned by the earthquake to fish cages owned by the Malapatan Fishermen Association worth PHP1.8 million.

The DA is provisioning 1,000 pieces of banana planting materials and 1,000 hybrid coconut seedlings for farmers affected by the earthquake. (PNA)