President Marcos urged residents in Surigao del Sur to prepare for the looming La Niña in October.
Marcos told them to brace for La Niña as he recognized that the El Niño has affected almost 12,000 farmers in Caraga Region.
“Ngayon naman ay kailangan nating paghandaan ang tag-ulan na inaasahang magdadala ng higit sa normal na buhos ng ulan sa darating na buwan ng Oktubre (Now we have to prepare for the rainy season which is expected to bring heavier rains in October),” Marcos said on Thursday, June 20.
Marcos, however, assured them that the government has prepared funds and food supply in times of calamity.
“Bagaman ang hiling natin ay wala nang maranasang pinsala o aberya sa panahong ito, nais kong malaman ninyo na handa ang pamahalaan kung sakali man mangangailangan tayo ng pondo at mga suplay ng pagkain sa oras ng kalamidad (Although we wish we could no longer experience calamity and disruption this time, I want you all to know that the government is ready in case we need fund and food supply in times of calamity),” he told them.
Marcos said this as he led the distribution of various government assistance in Tandag City on Thursday.
He also assured them that the development of the region will continue as he announced that key infrastructure projects in Surigao del Sur are halfway done.
Various aids were given to almost 12,000 El Niño-affected farmers, fisherfolks, and their families on Thursday in the province.
Marcos said over P60 million are to be distributed to Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur through the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Some P10,000 in cash assistance will be distributed to 9,195 beneficiaries under the DSWD’s Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita (AKAP) program and another P10,000 presidential assistance to farmers, fisherfolk and selected families.