President Marcos has lauded the Filipinos in Sulu for nourishing their ancestors' arts, music, creations, and customs from centuries ago.

Marcos said this as he led the distribution of P10 million in financial assistance to fisherfolk and farmers affected by the El Niño phenomenon in the province on Friday, July 5.

In his speech, the President lauded the people in Sulu for preserving the province's rich and diverse culture and cited their weaving and engraving skills.

“Nais ko na personal na iparating sa inyo ang aking paghanga sa inyong mayamang kultura, lalo na sa inyong sining, likha, musika, at kaugalian (I want to express how I admire your rich culture, especially your arts, creations, music, and practices),” he said.

“Kaya talaga [namang nakatutuwa] na [napananatili] ninyo ang kultura na [pamana] sa inyo ng inyong mga ninuno sa kabila ng mga siglong lumipas (That's why I'm happy that you're able to preserve your culture and your ancestors' heritage despute the centuries that passed)," he added.

In an interview following his speech, Marcos told the press how he was glad that Sulu improved in terms of peace and order.

"Mga investors pumapasok, iba na ang tingin sa Sulu, iba na ang tingin sa probinsya at dahil mapayapa na ang Sulu ngayon (Investors are now coming in and they now have a different view of the province because Sulu is now peaceful)," he said.

"So, that's the biggest change and it is all based on the peace process and that is why we hold it so important," he added.

To further boost investment in the province and the entire Mindanao, the President said the administration has earmarked a "big fund" for connectivity projects.

"We will provide satellite connectivity, kung ano yung kailangan (whatever is needed)," he said.

"So, we're working very hard on that dahil kung nais natin magdala ng investment, hindi maaaring papasok ang kahit na anong seryoso na negosyo ngayon na walang internet (if we want to bring in investments, there has to be internet)," he added.

Aside from the P10 million in financial assistance to fisherfolk and farmers affected by the El Niño phenomenon President Marcos also led the distribution of P10,000 cash to each of at least 5,000 beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)’s Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).

Each of the attendees during the occasion also received five kilos of rice from the Office of Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) – Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform also distributed farm equipment.