KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato – Five-thousand farmers, fishermen, and families from 15 municipalities and one city in this province received cash assistance from the Office of the President on Monday, August 26, at the Capitol Compound in Barangay Amas here.
FIVE-thousand farmers, fishermen, and families from 15 municipalities and one city in North Cotabato received cash assistance from the Office of the President through Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos (center) on Monday, August 26, at the Capitol Compound in Amas in Kidapawan City. To his left is Gov. Emmylou Mendoza. (Photo via Ivy Tejano)
Each beneficiary from the towns of Pigcawayan, Libungan, Alamada, Aleosan, Kabacan, M'lang, Tulunan, Carmen, Banisilan, Matalam, Magpet, President Roxas, Antipas, Arakan, and Makilala, and Kidapawan City received P10,000 cash assistance from the Office of the President.
The assistance distribution, aimed at addressing the impacts of the El Niño phenomenon, particularly on the agriculture and fisheries sectors, was the key highlight of the week-long Kalivungan Festival that started on Monday in celebration of the province's 110th anniversary.
Gov. Emmylou "Lala" Taliño-Mendoza said in a speech that the beneficiaries were individuals from various municipalities and in Kidapawan City who had never received the government assistance before. Pikit town will receive separate aid from the President.
Mendoza said that she requested local government units to identify farmers, fisherfolk, and families who had not previously benefited from any financial assistance, making them the first recipients of the P50-million presidential aid.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. cited the impressive progress the province has achieved over 110 years. He credited this advancement to strong leadership and the unity of its people, highlighting North Cotabato as one of the nation’s top-performing provinces.