President Marcos assured Filipinos that ensuring the country's security remains his administration's top priority despite its current focus on addressing the effects of extreme heat brought about by the El Niño phenomenon.

Marcos said this as he led the distribution of government assistance to farmers, fisherfolk, and their families affected by El Niño, in Maguindanao del Sur on Thursday, May 23.

In his speech, the President said the government has not forgotten about the security challenges in Maguindanao del Sur, whose history of disorder has left a stain on its land and the daily lives of people.

"Ngunit alam kong malalagpasan natin ito. Tinitiyak ko sa inyo na ang kaligtasan ng ating mga mamamayan ay nananatiling prayoridad ng aking administrasyon (I know we can get through this. I assure you that the safety of our people remains my administration's priority)," he said.

"Sa patuloy nating pagtugon sa mga ugat ng hidwaan, makakamit natin ang tunay na kapayapaan at pagkakaunawaan sa ating mga komunidad (In our continued quest to address the roots of conflict, we are achieving peace and understanding in our community)," he added.

With this, President Marcos urged the people to unite and work with the government. He likewise ordered government agencies, including local government units (LGUs), to ensure that the assistance and services intended for the people would reach their rightful recipients.

The Office of the President (OP) has provided P10,000 each to select farmers and fisherfolk from three provinces in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), as well as P30 million to the Provincial Governments of Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, and Lanao del Sur.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also distributed P10,000 each to 10,000 beneficiaries, while the Office of House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez handed out five kilos of rice to each attendee.

In line with the provision of assistance, the Department of Agriculture (DA) - National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is continuously monitoring the Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Project II (MMIP-II) which aims to increase agricultural productivity and livelihood and improve peace and order in the Region.

Meanwhile, Malacañang said the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Health (DOH), and other concerned agencies are collaborating to address the challenges posed by both El Niño and La Niña in the BARMM.