Manila, April 29 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday said it has distributed PHP2.16 billion worth of aid and intervention to farmers and fishers affected by the El Nino phenomenon.

"Kasama po rito iyong (This includes the) PHP1.065 billion worth of rice farmers financial assistance. Ito iyong PHP5,000 na ipinamahagi natin sa mga magsasaka ng di tataas sa dalawang ektarya (This is the PHP5,000 worth of assistance distributed to farmers of lands not exceeding 2 hectares)," DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said during the inter-agency briefing on El Nino effects.

He said they also distributed farm inputs including seeds and fertilizers worth PHP638 million, as well as PHP295 million allocation for small-scale irrigation pr...