It was President Marcos’ time to give smiles to the Bacolod City, the City of Smiles, as he delivered more aid on Thursday, June 27, amid the challenges brought by the El Niño phenomenon and the eruption of Kanlaon Volcano recently.
 

The Chief Executive was at the University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental for the distribution of presidential assistance to farmers, fisherfolk, and families.
 

“Ngayon naman kaliwa’t kanan ang pagsubok na inyong kinakaharap --- mula sa pabago-bagong klima hanggang sa mga kalamidad --- hindi namin kayo pababayaan (Now that you are facing challenges left and right — from climate change to calamities — we will not forsake you),” he said in a speech.
 

“Narito po kami ngayon sa Bacolod upang ipadama ang aming pagmamahal at suporta sa mga tunay na bayani ng ating panahon —kayo ang walang-humpay na [nagsisikap] para sa ating bayan (We are here in Bacolod to express our love and support for the true heroes of our time — you tirelessly persevere for our country),” he added.
 

During his visit, the President announced that his administration will give P10,000 each to beneficiaries from Bacolod City and other parts of Negros Occidental.
 

The city government of Bacolod will also receive P10 million, while the provincial government of Negros Occidental will receive P50 million.
 

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will also be providing P10,000 each to farmers, fisherfolk, and their families, while House Speaker Martin Romualdez will also give out five kilos of rice to each beneficiary.
 

Earlier, Marcos said the DSWD already provided more than P24 million to Bago City, La Carlota, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, and Pontevedra because of the effects of the Kanlaon Volcano eruption that reached agricultural damages up to P11 million in the province.
 

This, the President added, impacted 135 farmers and fishermen. 
 

“Bukod pa rito, kasalukuyang isinasagawa ng Department of Agriculture ang pagsisiyasat sa epekto ng pagputok ng bulkan sa sektor ng agrikultura at pangisdaan upang matiyak na maibibigay ang angkop na tulong at mga hakbangin (Aside from this, the Department of Agriculture is currently studying the effects of the volcanic eruption to the agricultural and fisheries sectors to ensure that we can provide the appropriate aid),” he shared.
 

The DA, the Chief Executive added, is also continuously studying the effects of El Niño and helping rehabilitate fisherfolk and farmers.
 

“Bilang inyong Pangulo, ang aking pangarap ay isang bansang maunlad kung saan ang bawat isa ay mamumuhay nang may dangal at katiyakan sa kanilang kinabukasan (As your President, my dream is for a country that’s progressive, and one where everyone is living with dignity and certainty of their dreams),” Marcos said to the applause of the audience.
 

In asking for their help and support, the Chief Executive underscored the importance of helping each other to achieve his promise of “Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines).”