President Marcos led the distribution of millions worth of financial assistance, loans, and subsidies to the farmers and fisherfolk in Occidental Mindoro, which is being severely impacted by the El Niño phenomenon.
 

President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. and some of his Cabinet officials during the distribution of government aid to El Niño-hit farmers in Occidental Mindoro on Tuesday, April 22, 2024. (Photo from the Presidential Communications Office)

In his remarks during the event held in Barangay San Roque, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, the Chief Executive assured the community of the Marcos administration’s whole-of-government approach in trying to help them weather the impact of El Niño.
 

“Kaya po kami nandito upang bigyan ng tulong ang lahat ng nangangailangan dito sa gitna ng nararanasan natin na El Niño (We are here to help those in need amid the impact of El Niño),” he said.
 

The President told the audience that the national government, together with legislators, cabinet secretaries, and local government officials, are working together to provide them with the help they need.
 

“Pinagkakaisa nating lahat ‘yan upang gawin lahat ng kailangan gawin, lahat ng kaya naming gawin upang tumulong sa mga tinamaan nitong El Niño at sa iba’t ibang pang problema (We coordinated everything to do all we can to help those affected by El Niño and other problems),” Marcos added.
 

He explained to them that his administration’s whole-of-government approach aims to bring all of the concerned government agencies together to help the affected farmers and fisherfolk.
 

During the event, various assistance was extended to the farmers and fisherfolk.
 

Among these are the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Rice Farmers Financial Assistance, which provided P3,000 worth of fuel assistance each for nearly 400 beneficiaries, P5.1 million to 193 farmers under the El Niño Indemnification Fund, and P77.5 million under the  Survival and Recovery Aid loans.
 

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) also provided P7.38 million worth of operations and maintenance subsidy to irrigators’ group, P18.48 million worth of certificate of condonation and exemption to one group, and 24 units of solar pump irrigation projects worth P50 million to three other groups.
 

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) likewise provided P5,000 each to 10,000 beneficiaries under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), as well as P15,000 each to 13 beneficiaries under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). 
 

Under its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) provided P12.9 million worth of wages for work to 2,953 beneficiaries and P4.5 million worth of government internship program to 94 beneficiaries.
 

Five beneficiaries also received from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) its “One Town, One Product Brand Development Package” worth P50,000, while 70 beneficiaries got over P1.55 million worth of assistance.
 

Marcos also said that a “Serbisyo Caravan” was organized for the farmers and fisherfolk to bring government services closer to Occidental Mindoro residents, especially those in far-flung areas.
 

The “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” was also established offering various goods at much lower prices.
 

The Chief Executive visited Occidental Mindoro to check on the farmers and fisherfolk, whose livelihood has been heavily impacted by El Niño.
 

Aside from distributing various government assistance, he also inspected the El Niño-affected farmlands, attend the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair and Kadiwa ng Pangulo, as well as the situation briefing on the effects of El Niño.