PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited Mindanao for two days to distribute aid to families affected by El Niño.
On Thursday, May 9, 2024, President Marcos delivered a total of P60 million in financial assistance and various government services to farmers and fisherfolk in Zamboanga Peninsula.
Of the total, P10-M was given to the City Government of Zamboanga while P14.26 million went to Zamboanga del Norte, P14.35 million to Zamboanga del Sur, and P20.3 million to Zamboanga Sibugay.
The President also turned over a P80.9 million check to Camp Navarro General Hospital to procure equipment for the operating room, diagnostics, ward, physical therapy, and others.
On May 10, 2024, Friday, the President visited Sultan Kudarat where he led the distribution of cash assistance worth P10,000 each to 30 beneficiaries from Region 12.
President Marcos Jr. also gave P10 million to the City Government of General Santos, P50 million to the Provincial Government of South Cotabato and P50 million to the Provincial Government of Sarangani.
In his speech, President Marcos said Sultan Kudarat is a living testament to how unity works in a community.
“Kayo ang buhay na pruweba na puwedeng mamuhay nang matiwasay ang mga mamamayan na iba’t iba ang relihiyon o sari-sari ang rehiyong pinagmulan. Ang resulta nito ay hindi lang mapayapang lipunan, ngunit isang maunlad na ekonomiya,” President Marcos Jr. said.
The President assured the residents and the local government units that the Marcos administration would exhaust all options to alleviate people’s sufferings caused by the El Niño phenomenon.
“Hangad po namin na mabigyan kayong lahat ng maayos na buhay kaya naman po ay nagsisikap kami na bigyan ng pansin ang pangangailangan ng bawat probinsiya at bayan sa buong bansa,” he said.
The chief executive also assured the government will work tirelessly to ensure the needed support and resources are available to those affected by the drought brought about by El Niño.
Also present during the events are Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao Leo Tereso Magno, Special Assistant to the President Ernesto Antonio Lagdameo Jr., DSWD Sec. Rex Gatchalian, DA Sec. Francisco Laurel Jr., DILG Sec. Benhur Abalos Jr., PCO Sec. Cheloy Garafil and TESDA Sec. Suharto Mangundadatu.
