President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. led the distribution of various government assistance that benefited students, micro and small entrepreneurs, and local farmers groups during a visit to Pampanga province on Monday, July 17.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. hands over P134.2-million check to the Provincial Government of Pampanga. (Photo from Kadiwa ng Pangulo Facebook page)
The President was in Pampanga to witness the ceremonial signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between key government agencies and local government units (LGUs) for the establishment of “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” centers nationwide.
In his speech, he underscored the importance of coordination among the national government, key agencies, the LGUs, the private sector, and Filipinos.
“Sana patuloy natin ang pagsasama na ito, at pagtutulungan na ito para makita naman natin na makapagbigay tayo ng konting ginhawa sa ating mga kababayan (Hopefully, we will continue this unity and cooperation so we can see how we can provide relief to our countrymen),” Marcos said.
The President also took the time to distribute livelihood grants from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), extending P1 million for the agency’s Tulong Pangkabuhayan for the Municipality of San Simon and P1.2 million for the Municipality of Minalin.
About 301 beneficiaries also received P1.38 million worth of financial assistance from DOLE’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), while 140 interns received a total of P611,000 in allowance from the Government Internship Program (GIP).
Livelihood assistance were provided through the Eleven Negosyo sa Kariton, or Nego-Kart, from where beneficiaries received P30,000 each in addition to the seven Kabuhayan starter kits worth also P30,000 each.
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) was also there, through which the President distributed P68,000 in training support to fund 25 shielded metal arch welding NC1 scholars, as well as P91,350 for 18 organic agriculture production NC2 scholars.
As the concurrent head of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Marcos provided financial grants under the Enhanced Kadiwa Financial Grant Assistance Program, which benefited the Sta. Ana Multipurpose Cooperative (P6.8 million), Mandasig Farmers Association Inc. in Candaba (P4.2 million), and the Vizal Sto. Nino Rice and Livestock Farmers Association in Candaba (P2.2 million).
The province of Pampanga then received P134.2 million under the DA’s Rice Sufficiency Program.
The Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa Program handed P190,400 to 16 beneficiaries, while seven borrowers were granted P6.35 million through the Small Business Corp. under its micro multi-purpose loan program.
Financial assistance worth P1.5 million was also given by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) under the Individuals under Crisis Situations (AICS) Program, and P180,000 was released to 12 beneficiaries of the sustainable livelihood program (SLP).
The latter figure was in addition to the P3,000 and family food packs given to 500 beneficiaries.
During his visit, Marcos went to the job fair organized by DOLE and the province of Pampanga, the Pampanga Provincial Employment Service Office (PESO), and the Pampanga PESO Managers Federation.
With 20 local employers participating in the job fair, around 3,000 local jobs were up for grabs.
Jobs openings include those for service crews, production workers, call center agents, support staff, clerks, and encoders, among others.