THE Provincial Government of Capiz will prioritize the provision of financial assistance to farmers “heavily affected” by Tropical Depression Agaton.

Capiz Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (PDRRM) officer Esperidion Pelaez said Thursday that P10.9 million was realigned for their post-disaster rehabilitation and recovery assistance for farmers. The fund was taken from their calamity fund.

Pelaez said that some 5,000 farmers were initially identified to be qualified for the financial assistance. They will be provided P290 per day for seven and a half days.

Local government units placed under a state of calamity have option whether to give the same amount as counterpart.

Pelaez said they would start the release as soon as possible because Governor Tony Del Rosario did not want to delay the provision of assistance.

A state of calamity was declared in towns of Panitan, Sigma and Pontevedra.

The initial damage to fisheries was estimated at P75.56 million, while 9,763 hectares of rice lands incurred damages based on the PDRRMC initial report.

Pelaez said their provincial agriculture office was also working on the ground to ensure that farms would get insured with the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation. (PNA)