DAVAO CITY – Thousands of farmers and fisherfolk in Mindanao benefitted from financial aid distributed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during his visit last week to Zamboanga Peninsula and Sultan Kudarat.
MARCOS (FB)
Marcos spent two days in Mindanao, from May 9 to 10, distributing aid to those impacted by the El Niño phenomenon.
The President first visited Zamboanga Peninsula followed by the Sultan Kudarat province.
He gave P60 million in financial aid and various government services to farmers and fisherfolk in the Zamboanga Peninsula. Marcos turned over P80.9 million to Camp Navarro General Hospital in Zamboanga City for hospital equipment.
Of the P60 million, P10 million was allocated to the city government of Zamboanga, P14.6 million to the province of Zamboanga del Norte, P14.35 million to Zamboanga del Sur, and P20.3 million to Zamboanga Sibugay.
The following day, Marcos led the distribution of P10,000 cash assistance each to 30 beneficiaries from Region 12 in Sultan Kudarat. He also gave P10 million to the General Santos city government, P50 million to South Cotabato, and P50 million to Sarangani.
Marcos said Sultan Kudarat is proof that people of different religions or families can live peacefully. He added that the result of this is not only a peaceful society but also a prosperous economy.
The President assured Mindanao residents and local government units (LGUs) that his administration would explore every possible option to reduce the hardship caused by the El Niño.
He added that he will ensure that needed support is available to those affected by the drought.
In attendance during the two events were Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Laurel Jr., Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao Leo Tereso Magno, Special Assistant to the President Ernesto Antonio Lagdameo Jr., Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr., Presidential Communication Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary Suharto Mangundadatu.