Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. on Monday distributed cash assistance totalling to P10 million to 1,000 farming families and fisherfolk affected by the El Niño phenomenon in Zambales.

Ebdane said the assistance came from President Marcos who released a P10-million cheque allocated for Zambales last July 12 during an awarding ceremony at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.

“This fund came directly from the President and we have, in turn, allocated the money to local farmers and fishermen who were affected by El Niño the most,” Ebdane said.

The beneficiaries, who were vetted by the Zambales Provincial Agriculture Office, received P10,000 each from the governor at the Botolan People’s Plaza in Botolan, Zambales.

Also present during the distribution were Regional Executive Director Eduardo Lapuz of the Department of Agriculture’s Regional Field Office III, Zambales Provincial Agriculturist Crisostomo Rabaca, Central Luzon Social Welfare and Development Regional Director Venus Rebuldela, Zambales Board Member Lugil Ragadio, who chairs the Provincial Board’s Committee on Agriculture and Fishery, and Botolan Mayor Jun Omar Ebdane.

El Niño, which creates conditions like long dry spells and warmer sea surface temperature, results in agricultural damage and water shortages, and was felt throughout the country.

Gov. Ebdane said Pres. Marcos distributed a total of P311.16 million in financial assistance for farmers and fishermen affected by El Niño in the provinces of Zambales, Pampanga, Bataan, Bulacan, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija.

“We are thankful to the President for this assistance, and we hope that this would help ease the loss of income among farmers and fisherfolk because of this weather phenomenon,” Ebdane added.

Meanwhile, Gov. Ebdane also gave away on Monday a tricycle unit to the Municipal Federation of Senior Citizens Association (FSCAP) of Castillejos, Zambales.

The “Sulong Senior Tricycle Service” will make it easier for FSCAP to deliver services to senior citizens in the municipality, said FSCAP president Leodegario Sagum.