Ilocos Norte distributes P56M in aid to farmers affected by ‘Julian’

RELIEF ASSISTANCE. Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc leads the distribution of relief aid to evacuation centers in various parts of the province. (PGIN)

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Laoag City—The provincial government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN), led by Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc, has distributed PHP55.8 million in rehabilitation resources to farmers severely affected by super typhoon “Julian,” which battered the province last month.

The multi-million worth of hybrid corn seeds, assorted vegetable seeds, rice seeds, and fertilizers, is aimed at restoring crops in lands damaged by extreme flooding and destructive winds. This initiative follows a recent assessment indicating that the typhoon impacted over 195,000 individuals across Ilocos Norte, with damages and losses reaching nearly PHP1.1 billion as of the report from the Provincial Resiliency Council dated Oct. 7, 2024.

A total of 16,789 farmers received the support package, with the goal of ensuring timely agricultural recovery to safeguard food production in the Province.

During one of the distribution events, Manotoc reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to supporting farmers, stating: “Ito po ay in response sa  super typhoon ‘Julian’, at ngayon may ‘Marce’ pa. Ito po ay para sa inyo at gusto ko lang ipaalala sa inyo na magpa-insure po tayo. Kailangan may PCIC, dapat may crop insurance tayo para anytime handa po tayo.”

He further encouraged Ilokano farmers to request additional support if needed through the provincial government’s “Agri Ka Dito!” program, which provides targeted assistance to farmers and fisherfolk.

Farmers in the province expressed their gratitude for the immediate response, emphasizing that the assistance would enable them to replant and restore their livelihoods.

As the province advances in recovery efforts, Manotoc assured that continued support would be extended to other sectors impacted by the typhoon, including infrastructure and public services, to help restore stability in affected communities

Continuous government aid

Family

food packs and potable water continued to be distributed to evacuation centers in Ilocos Norte province as almost all households still did not have electricity after the onslaught of typhoon “Marce” (international name Yinxing) in this part of Luzon.

On Nov. 8, 2024, 331 families who were pre-emptively evacuated to the Pasuquin covered court, Busan and municipal covered court of Bacarra, and Plaridel Elementary School in Laoag City received aid from the provincial government.

Provincial disaster risk reduction and management officer Randy Nicolas said 500 families, or 1,513 individuals, were still in evacuation centers out of the reported 1,581 families, or 4,733 individuals, affected by Marce.

According to Nicolas, typhoon damage was still being validated as of press time, with no reported casualty.

In Pagudpud town, at least one house was destroyed by a tornado at the height of Marce’s onslaught.

“We are thankful no one was hurt because we were pre-emptively evacuated when the incident happened,” said Lenie Faylogna of Poblacion 2 in Pagudpud.

At least two houses in Vintar and one in Solsona were reported destroyed, and 87 more were reported damaged mostly in Vintar, Solsona, Pagudpud, San Nicolas, and Carasi.

Power restoration was ongoing in most parts of the province, while communication signal remained weak.

The smallest town of Adams, with 899 affected families consisting of 2,586 individuals, remained isolated due to heavy rains and the swelling of the Bolo River.

Meanwhile, Rochelle Gajes, officer in charge of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, reported that 13,031 family food packs were ready for dispatch to affected families, including 1,745 sacks of rice at 50 kg. each, at the Takuat warehouse and the National Food Authority warehouse in this city.

At least 25 cases of sardines, 300 cases of bottled water, and other non-food items donated by various groups and individuals were also on standby.

Gajes said 7,200 family food packs were prepositioned in seven clusters of the province, to be made available to local government units needing relief augmentation. (With a report from Mariell J. Pahinag)