Filipinos in need will continue to get assistance from the government until they no longer need it, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said.
"Itong ating pinamimigay ay tuloy tuloy pa rin hanggang dumating na yung araw—sana malapit na— na hindi na kailangan ang tulong ng pamahalaan dahil kayo na ay may trabaho, kayo na ay may magandang tinitirhan (We will continue to provide you assistance until the time comes—I hope soon—that you no longer need the help pf the government because you already have stable jobs, decent houses)," Marcos told the people of Mandaue City on Monday, Feb. 27.
The President made the statement as he led the distribution of various government assistance to almost 3,000 beneficiaries in the city.
He also said to personally hand over the assistance to beneficiaries in the city is his way of thanking the city for their support and help during the election, which he won by a large margin.
"Hindi po kami titigil. Hindi ko po makalimutan ang init ng iyong pagsuporta. Hindi ko makalimutan kaya't lagi kong iniisip the support and the affection that I receive from you, I have to pay back and if it takes the rest of my life, I will happily spend the rest of my life paying it back to you (We will not stop. I cannot forget your warm support. I cannot forget so I always think about)," Marcos said.
The chief executive also said that while the pandemic is no longer the biggest concern in the country now, he recognized that poverty remains the pressing concern of Filipinos. Thus, the continuous distribution of government assistance.
Six hundred recipients received P5,000 each and family food packs under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Three cooperatives were given livelihood grants amounting to P3.65 million under the Department of Labor and Employment's (DOLE) Integrated Livelihood Program
The Labor department also gave out livelihood assistance worth P4,350 each to 2,257 beneficiaries, totaling to P9.8 million, under its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD).
Seeds and equipment amounting to P109 million were also given to the Provincial Government of Cebu, apart from P1.08 million under its Corn Banner Program to farmer’s associations in the province.
Moreover, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has also turned over livelihood and financial assistance worth P8,000 to 20 recipients.