LAOAG CITY, June 11 -- Ilocos Norte's provincial government distributed PHP12.6 million in livelihood support to 2,779 farmers and fisherfolk at the Ilocos Norte Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Center on Thursday.

The assistance included 363 piglets with starter feed, eight incubator units, seven forage chopper units and various agricultural inputs, such as a weighing scale, cooler, rice seeds, fertilizers, water pumps, grass cutters, and irrigation hose.

During the distribution, Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos said the amount was sourced from the provincial government's share of Republic Act 7171, or the so-called tobacco excise tax.

"Our Provincial Veterinary Office and the Office of the Provincial Agriculture teamed up for this...