The Marcos administration remains "sincere and duty-bound" to uplift the lives of the Filipino people, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr. stressed on Thursday, June 20.
He emphasized this during his message at the opening program of the distribution of government assistance to farmers, fisherfolk and their families were affected by the effects of the El Niño phenomenon in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur.
Coinciding with the 64th Araw ng Surigao del Sur, a weeklong celebration commemorating the founding anniversary of the province, the DILG stated that President Marcos Jr. distributed various assistance to identified farmers, fisherfolk and local families in a ceremony at the Surigao del Sur Sports Complex.
Among the highlights of the event was the turnover of farm machinery, equipment and other support services amounting to P6 million from the Department of Agriculture (DA) XIII to farmer cooperatives and associations in Surigao del Sur. These include a four-wheel drive tractor, a multi-commodity thresher, a hauling truck and a corn mill, the DILG chief said.
"The President handed out P10,000 in cash assistance to 10 select beneficiaries from Surigao del Sur and another group of 10 beneficiaries from Agusan del Sur to provide immediate financial relief to local residents," Abalos said.
Additionally, Abalos disclosed that Marcos also turned over a P12.48 million check to the Surigao del Sur government while Agusan del Sur received P50 million to enable the provincial governments to implement various developmental projects that will benefit the communities.
Meanwhile, Abalos said the government was also relentlessly pursuing lawful measures to combat the country’s illegal drug menace.
He said the President ordered the arrest of drug personalities and dismantling of drug dens in the country.
"Asahan niyo na ang ating kapulisan at kawani ng PDEA ay patuloy sa pagganap ng kanilang tungkulin sa pagsugpo ng ilegal na droga (Expect that the police force and PDEA personnel will continue to perform their duties in stopping the illegal drug trade)," Abalos vowed.