DA to Provide Aid to Farmers Affected by Taal Volcano Eruption

The government has awarded an initial P2.708 million worth of assistance to farmers and fisherfolk in three Batangas towns of Talisay, Tanauan, and Sto. Tomas affected ashfall from Taal volcano eruption. This included crop insurance, livelihood, seed and seedlings, and farm machinery, among other donations. Some P160 million worth of assistance was also given elsewhere in Batangas, including Agoncillo, San Nicolas, Lemery, Laurel, Lipa City, San Jose, Nasugbu, Mataas Na Kahoy, Balete, Cuenca, Alitagtag, Padre Garcia, Malvar, and Taal. The government is planning to put together a P30-billion package to respond to the damage caused by the Taal volcano eruption.  Assistance amounting to P1.9 million was given by the Philippine Coconut Authority to affected coconut farmers, including seedlings and fertilizer.