SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA) -- Affected hog raisers of the African Swine Fever (ASF) from Hamtic town have received assistance from the government.
Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda and Antique Representative Antonio Agapito Legarda facilitated the release of emergency cash assistance worth P18 million through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
“Nauunawaan natin ang kalagayan ng ating mga kababayang tinamaan ng ASF kung kaya’t agad tayong nagpadala ng tulong katuwang ang DSWD,” Senator Legarda said in a press release.
She hoped that the farmers and their families would address their immediate needs after they got assistance from DSWD.
"We also would like to emphasize transparency and accountability in the distribution of these funds so that the financial assistance will reach its intended parties because this becomes a matter of life and death for some," she added.
The Antiqueña senator also secured generous allocations for education and livelihood programs in the province.
In addition to the cash assistance for the ASF-affected families, Senator Loren also facilitated the allocation of P50 million for the college scholarship program through the DSWD and P120 million financial assistance through its Aid to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
Another P35 million for college scholarship through the Commission on Higher Education, P120 million for the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) TUPAD program, and P30 million more for the labor department's Kabuhayan program.
Legarda also cited that communication in numerous upland barangays has improved due to the installation of the Starlink Internet, empowering its residents with stable internet access and helping open opportunities in education and livelihood. (AGP/PSM/PIA Antique with reports from OSLL)