A total of P5,368,040 was awarded by the Department of Agriculture Region IV-CALABARZON for intervention and assistance to Lobo, Batangas farmers and fishermen whose crops, livestock, and fisheries were damaged by the typhoons “Quinta” and “Rolly.”

Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar, together with Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go, led the handing over of the certificate of award to the recipients on November 5, 2020 at the municipal covered court of Lobo.

Sec. Dar shared in an interview that farmers and fishermen are also sure to receive insurance claims from DA through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, thereby encouraging many to insure their crops not only in times of emergency, such as typhoons. He also said that, under its Survival and Recovery Loan Program, the DA has emergency and rehabilitation loan programs through the Agricultural Credit Policy Council that they can avail if necessary.

Two of the recipients, Mr. Pastor Verdadero and Mr. Supremo Abdon, expressed their message of gratitude to DA as they both received carabao from DA CALABARZON, sharing that it is a great help to continue their livelihood even after the calamities they faced.

Other government agencies, like the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources IV-A, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and the National Housing Authority, have also extended their assistance to the farmers, fishers, and other residents of the town. (ARC, DA-RAFIS)