PBBM’s assistance to farmers, fisherfolk affected by ‘Kristine’

By Jordan Domingo

PILI, Camarines Sur --- President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. personally distributed cash assistance on Wednesday to farmers and fisherfolk impacted by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) at the Ka Fuerte Complex.

Approximately 10,000 farmers and fisherfolk from the provinces of Camarines Sur and Albay each received P10, 000 in assistance.

“I came personally to offer support to those most affected by Kristine. This aid is directly from the Office of the President. May it help you find the resilience to rebuild,” President Marcos said.

He also announced a P50-million fund through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to support ongoing needs in affected communities.

“We are committed to restoring normalcy as swiftly as possible, which includes repairing infrastructure, roads, and livelihoods damaged by the storm,” he added.

Following the distribution in Camarines Sur, President Marcos visited the Albay Astrodome to distribute aid to additional farmers and fishers.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Bicol reported over P6.7 billion in damage to agriculture, infrastructure, and other government assets in the region due to Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, which brought torrential rains and caused extensive flooding and landslides last week.

Kristine struck Bicol on October 22-23, resulting in widespread devastation and more than 20 fatalities.

According to OCD-Bicol spokesperson Gremil Alexis Naz, the agricultural sector incurred around P1.9 billion in losses, affecting crops, livestock, poultry, and infrastructure.

Camarines Sur was the hardest-hit province, with damages amounting to at least P927 million, followed by Albay with approximately P369 million.

In Naga City and other flood-prone areas in Camarines Sur and Albay, floodwaters have yet to fully recede more than a week after the storm, leaving 379 villages still submerged as of Thursday, including two villages in Libon, Albay.