News Release

LGUs in Eastern Visayas get PhP136-M Presidential aid



President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. distributed a total of PhP136.30 million in financial assistance to various local government units (LGUs) in Eastern Visayas.

The assistance was meant for farmers, fisherfolk and their families affected by the El Niño phenomenon in the region.

The President handed over PhP50 million to Samar Gov. Sharee Ann Tan; PhP25.99 million to Northern Samar Gov. Edwin Marino Ongchuan; PhP19.30 million to Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone; and PhP17.02 million to Leyte Gov. Jericho Petilla.

Southern Leyte Gov. Damian Mercado received PhP10.31 million while Biliran Vice Governor Brigido Caneja III got PhP13.68 million.

At least three LGUs in Eastern Visayas were hit by El Niño, affecting at least 19,971 families and causing agricultural losses of PhP23 million. A total of 504 farmers were affected by El Niño in Samar, Biliran and Leyte.

To mitigate El Niño’s effects, the government allotted a total standby funds and stockpile of PhP179,694,209.32.

Other assistance extended include PhP10,000 cash to each 8,930 beneficiaries in Samar under the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The President also distributed PhP10,000 cash to each 1,500 beneficiaries in Leyte, Southern Leyte and Biliran under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) of the DSWD.

The Office of Speaker Martin Romualdez of the House of Representatives also distributed 10 and five kilos of rice each to beneficiaries in Samar and Leyte, respectively. PND