BAYAMBANG–If Filipino indigent families have their Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) the adoption of Pantawid Ani to help farmers, especially those affected by the El Niño phenomenon or by flooding was suggested by locos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos.

“When a farmer is affected and loses his crops, there must be financial aid for him from the government to help him through even for three to six months only,” Marcos said in an interview with local media during the Farmers’ Day here on April 2.

She said it could be in the form of the cash-for-work scheme.

She said based on their study, once a farmer is affected by either the intense dry spell or flooding for two planting cycles, he will already become in deep debt and will continue to experience financial hardship that will make his family hungry.

“If his crops are destroyed, give him a three to six months’ cash for work, he will rise again and go back to farming and will not avail himself of excessive loans,” Marcos said.

The Pantawid Ani in Ilocos Norte makes farmers plant mangroves in coastal areas or plant trees in the mountains while others do de-silting in farm dikes after flooding, clean roads, or plant high-value crops. They also engage in farm tourism projects in their dragon fruit farms or mango picking especially that their province enjoys 3 million tourists a year.

Fishermen in their area become tour operators, including senior citizens who love to tell stories, she said. (PhilStar Wire Service)

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