Members of a farmers’ group in Maria Aurora town in this province received cash assistance from the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) on Wednesday.

The PHP20,000 cash assistance was distributed to members of the Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Magbubukid Association (SNMA) in Barangay Bazal during an awarding ceremony at the MSWDO office in the said municipality.

The awarding ceremony was presided over by Municipal Social Welfare Officer Laureen Rafael and attended by SNMA president Jeffran Soguilon and treasurer Julieta Liddan, as well as members of the 91st Infantry Battalion (91IB) of the Philippine Army.

The financial assistance followed the association’s recent receipt of 10,000 tilapia fingerlings from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

Lt. Col. Aries Quinto, commanding officer of the 91IB, emphasized the importance of such programs in promoting food security and strengthening community resilience.

“This assistance is not just about financial aid; it symbolizes our commitment to ensuring food sustainability and economic growth in rural areas,” Quinto said in a statement.

“We will continue working closely with government agencies and stakeholders to bring development initiatives to our communities,” he added.

Quinto commended the SNMA members for their dedication to improving their agricultural ventures and encouraged them to maximize the support they receive.

Soguilon, for his part, expressed gratitude for the assistance.

“I am deeply grateful for the continuous support from our soldiers and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, which provided us with tilapia fingerlings,” he said. “I hope that more organizations like ours, which are just starting, will also receive assistance.” (PNA)