President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has assured the public that his administration is working hard to help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and uplift the lives of Filipinos amid efforts toward post-pandemic economic recovery.

PBBM IN NORTHERN SAMAR — President Marcos leads the distribution of various assistance to beneficiaries in Northern Samar on July 14, 2023. (Malacañang photo)

Marcos said this as he led the distribution of various government assistance from the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Northern Samar on Friday, July 14.

In his speech, the President assured the residents and the local officials of Northern Samar that the national government is always ready to provide them with all the assistance they need as part of his administration's goal to uplift the lives of the Filipino people nationwide.

He added the government is working hard to help the MSMEs who suffered a blow during the height of the coronavirus crisis.

"Naubos ang kanilang savings, nagsara ang kanilang negosyo, hindi na sila makabalik. Yun ang mga hinahanap namin para tulungan dahil ‘yan ang puno’t dulo ng ating ekonomiya, ang mga maliliit na negosyo, ang MSMEs (Their savings were depleted, their businesses closed down, they could not bounce back. Those are the ones we want to help because they are the backbone of our economy— the MSMEs)," Marcos said.

President Marcos, who is also the concurrent agriculture secretary, led the distribution of two four-wheel drive tractors, three multi-cultivators, four pump irrigation systems, one cacao processing facility, various agricultural livelihood projects, four units of hand tractors and four rice threshers and four rice cutters.

He also handed over 21,480 bags of certified rice seeds, 300 bags of hybrid rice seeds, fertilizer discount vouchers, and P5,000 each in financial assistance to 1,220 farmer-beneficiaries in Northern Samar.

In addition, the chief executive led the distribution of assistance from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), such as the 16 deep sea fish aggregating devices or paya, three high-density polyethylene cages, 150 sets of seaweed farm implement and fingerlings, and feeds for tilapia production in ponds.

Marcos also distributed 20 pieces of 30-foot and five 22-foot fiberglass boats and mangrove crablets and formulated feeds while the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) donated two hectares of abaca mother block nursery to the local government unit of Northern Samar.

The Chief Executive also handed over four infrastructure projects to the local government units of Northern Samar.

The President likewise distributed financial assistance amounting to P150,000 to eight distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and scholarship assistance worth P10,000 each to two dependents under the OFW Dependent Scholarship Program.

Marcos also extended medical assistance worth P30,000 to two beneficiaries under the Welfare Assistance Program and financial aid worth P20,000 to the bereaved OFW family.