Farmers get relief good

STA. RITA — The Butil Farmers Party led the distribution of relief pacts to 2,400 farmers and their families in Sta. Rita town who were affected by the recent floods.

Butil Farmers Party Representative Agapito Guanlao said the distribution mainly provided canned goods and other necessities to the farmers who are badly affected by the flooding.

He said that though many homes here have been flooded, farmers still bear much of the burden as their sources of livelihood were also affected by the flooding.

Guanlao led the distribution of relief packs in Barangays Sta. Monica, San Vicente, San Agustin, Becuran and San Matias.

He said Butil will also be distributing relief packs in Bulacan and Tarlac, targeting farmers and their families who have been greatly affected by the flooding.

Butil has appropriated some P2 million in terms of relief assistance.

Guanlao said that farmers will also get assistance from Butil to get new seeds and other necessities through National Government agencies like the Department of Agriculture (DA).

“There are so many farmers that are calling for help not just in terms of relief but also in terms of new seeds so than they can start planting again when flood waters recede,” Guanlao said, stressing Sta. Rita town alone had 65 hectares affected by floodwater.

Reports from the DA’s Bureau of Agricultural Statistics said that Sta. Rita sustained some P3,695,250 in palay crop damages. This translates to 246.35 metric tons of supposed harvest under floodwater.

Guanlao said that local and National Government agencies should now help farmers recover and replant their fields through farm assistances.

“With the current improved weather and floodwaters beginning to recede in many areas, farmers should now be given proper assistance. Our food security and the stability of our farmers depend on how fast we can bring back our fields to being productive after this calamity,” Guanlao said. (Ian Ocampo Flora)