ILIGAN CITY – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday, May 16, turned over some P50 million in financial assistance to the local government units of Iligan City, Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental for El Niño-affected farmers and fisherfolk in Northern Mindanao.
PRESIDENT Marcos speaks during the turnover of financial assistance of P10,000 each to farmers and fisherfolk affected by the El Niño phenomenon in Northern Mindanao. (Bonita L. Ermac)
The President handed P10.540 million over to Iligan City Mayor Frederick Siao, P13.920 million to Lanao del Norte Vice Gov. Allan Lim, and P24.360 million to Misamis Occidental Gov. Henry Oaminal in a ceremony at the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology gymnasium here.
Marcos said he chose to personally distribute the assistance and see for himself the condition of fisherfolks and farmers affected by the El Niño phenomenon in the region. The President lauded residents and the local governments for their resilience.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development provided P10,000 each in financial assistance to 9,588 beneficiaries in Iligan City.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Department of Health (DOH) also provided assistance to people during the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez provided five kilos of rice each to affected residents of Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro City.
Siao thanked Marcos for coming to this city.
"In behalf of Iliganons, it is both an honor and privilege to extend our heartfelt welcome to our esteemed President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. Your presence, Sir, underscores your unwavering commitment to our community's welfare and advancement."
"Thank you, Sir, for your invaluable assistance in promoting Iligan City's well-being and development. Your leadership is a beacon of inspiration and hope for us all," Siao added.
Rep. Celso G. Regencia here also thanked Marcos for visiting this city.