Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries, released P10M from his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for the relief and rehabilitation of provinces battered by Typhoon Juan.

The provinces include Benguet, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Cagayan, Isabela, and Nueva Vizcaya.

“Nakikiusap tayo sa ating mga kasamahan sa gobyerno na maglabas ng agarang tulong para sa mga lalawigang nasalanta ng bagyong Juan. Ang mahalaga ay ang makatugon tayo nang mabilis para matugunan ang mga pangangailangan ng mga kababayan nating naghihirap sa kabila ng pinakamalakas na bagyo sa mundo ngayon.”

* Sen. Kiko Pangilinan (Left) – photo taken by www.BukidnonOnline.com during a recent session at the Senate

Pangilinan clarified that the PDAF release is just for the immediate alleviation of disaster-stricken areas, and reiterated that long-term solutions are needed to ensure food security and livelihood for the country’s agricultural workers.

“Our farmers need immediate help, but let’s not lose sight of the long view,” Pangilinan reminds colleagues. “We urgently need to work together to develop our road map for agriculture and ensure that the proper long-term solutions are developed to bring our agricultural practices and the welfare of our farmers closer to first-world standards.”

Among the measures proposed by Pangilinan include the strengthening of crop protection measures and crop insurance, the modernization of agriculture facilities, and more effective risk mitigation measures in light of the country’s vulnerability to climate change.

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