The provincial government of Pangasinan distributed on Friday farm and fishing machinery worth PHP28 million.

In a statement, the Provincial Information Office (PIO) said some 10,000 farmers benefited from the 9,000 bags of certified palay seeds, 350 hybrid corn seeds, and farm machinery, while 22 fisherfolk associations in the province received fishing paraphernalia.

The PIO said among the machinery given to the farmers were five units of hand tractor, 261 units of water pump, 20 Kubota pump, engine set, and 351 units of rechargeable knapsack sprayers.

It said some 955 kilos of plant catalysts and 1,359 liters of foliar fertilizer were also turned over.

The fisherfolk associations received 215 units of gill nets, two sets of seine nets, 13 sets of cast nets, five sets of push nets, three units of axial flow pumps, and five sets of the fishing rod.

“Some 10 fishpond operators got one engine pump with axial flow pipe each while some 37 fisherfolk associations received one boat each from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR),” the PIO added.

In his speech during the turnover ceremony, Governor Amado Espino III said the activity was held to honor the farmers and fisherfolk of the province for their sacrifices and contribution during this pandemic.

“The beneficiaries are considered the new heroes of our time. We thank them as they are the strength of the agriculture sector of our province,” he said. (PNA)