CARAMORAN, CATANDUANES — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s visit to Brgy. Tubli, this municipality, together with some of his cabinet members, including Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., brought hope to farmers and fishermen in Catanduanes who were severely affected by Typhoon Uwan.
The President assessed the situation of the evacuees at Tubli Elementary School. He personally inquired about their immediate needs and instructed the Secretaries and Directors of each agency in the region to promptly take necessary actions.
Among those the President spoke to was Asuncion C. Bendicio, a resident of Brgy. Sabangan, Caramoran, Catanduanes. Bendicio’s house was swept away by strong waves, as well as the boat used by her husband, a fisherman, for his livelihood.
“Pres, maraming salamat po sa pagbisita mo sa amin. Nakita mo po ang aming kalagayan. Maraming maraming salamat, nakaluwag ng kaunti ang aming pakiramdam. Ang problema namin dito, wala po kaming bahay, wala po kaming maisusuot, ‘yung mga damit, gamit pang-kusina, at bangka po sa asawa ko, lahat ay natangay ng alon. Sana po matulungan mo po kami,” said Bendicio.
The President, in partnership with DA Bicol, assured Bendicio and those devastated by Super Typhoon Uwan that they would receive new fishing boats and alternative livelihood assistance immediately. DA Bicol will distribute various cash crop seeds, while the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) guaranteed the allocation of abaca planting materials. DA Bicol will also open a Kadiwa Store in collaboration with the National Food Authority (NFA) where they can buy rice at only twenty pesos per kilo under the agency’s Rice for All Program for three months.
DA Bicol Regional Executive Director Rodel Tornilla continues to coordinate with the heads of other agencies, the Agricultural Program Coordinating Office, and the Provincial Agriculture Office in Catanduanes to ensure that the aid will be delivered immediately to the beneficiaries in the province.
Based on the initial report of DA Bicol on November 12, 2025, available interventions for the province of Catanduanes have a total cost of P35.65 million. These include P33.94 million worth of seeds from rice and High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) as well as piglets, goats, and chickens from the livestock and poultry programs; P1.45 million worth of rice from the NFA; P140,000 worth of tilapia fingerlings from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR); and P117,610 worth of coconut planting materials from the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA). This could increase further as the agency finalizes the Rehabilitation Plan for the entire region. Currently, the proposed budget for the province’s initial rehabilitation plan will reach P169.54 million. This includes P24.80 million for BFAR and P136.11 million for PhilFIDA, an attached agency of the DA mandated to strengthen the abaca industry, the province’s main commodity. ### (By Annielyn L. Baleza & Photo by Zandra G. Abogado, DA RAFIS 5)
