Marcos: Caraga region has around P700-M agri losses due to El Niño

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Thursday said around P700 million was lost in the agriculture sector in the Caraga region due to the impact of the El Niño weather phenomenon.

Marcos led the distribution of presidential assistance to farmers, fisherfolk, and families at the Butuan City Sports Complex in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte.

''Ayon sa aming datos, naapektuhan [nito ang] labinlimang porsyento ng inyong kabuuang populasyon at tatlumpung porsyento ng inyong kabuhayan,'' Marcos said in his speech.

(Based on our records, this affected 15% of your entire population and 30% of our livelihood.)

''Tinatayang halos tatlong libo at pitong daang magsasaka at mangingisda naman ang tuwirang naapektuhan ng El Niño, samantalang nasa pitong daang milyong piso naman ang nalugi sa ating agrikultura sa buong rehiyon,'' he added.

(Around 3,700 farmers and fisherfolks were affected by El Niño, while around P700 million was lost in the agriculture sector of the region.)

The Presidential Communications Office said Butuan City was placed under state of calamity on June 13 due to El Niño, affecting around 3,694 farmers and fisherfolk.

Marcos extended P158.15 million in financial assistance to local government units of the region as part of the administration’s support to the affected farmers and fishermen.  

The President personally handed over P12.48 million in financial assistance to Surigao del Sur; P50 million to Agusan del Sur; P46.84 million to Butuan City; P28.26 million to Agusan del Norte; P10.57 million to Surigao del Norte; and P10 million to Dinagat Islands. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA Integrated News