INDEPENDENT senatorial candidate Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino yesterday vowed to push for full government support to the agricultural sector against the harmful effects of climate change to their livelihood.
Aquino gave the assurance during a townhall meeting with aqua farmers in San Jose, Northern Samar who complained that climate change has adversely affected their earnings.
In a statement, he said the aqua farmers narrated that they are not able to set sail for months during the wet season, making it hard for them to provide for the needs of their families.
Aquino said that if he makes it to the Senate, he will propose the grant of assistance to the agricultural sector that are worst hit by the effects of climate change, not only in Northern Samar but in other parts of the country as well.
“Dapat pondohan yung mga support program, kasi nga, kung noon ay nakakaya pa natin, pero ngayon, buwan-buwan ka nang hindi makakapagpalaot. Diyan dapat pumasok yung gobyenro para may tulong (The government should fund support programs. When aqua-farmers are not able to fish for months, the government must step in and help them),” he said.
He also said government must also make sure that the assistance would reach their intended beneficiaries and not diverted to other purposes.
