Despite the inclement weather, the Office of the President was able to hand over PhP262.453 million in financial assistance, services, loans and subsidy to farmers and fisherfolk affected by the El Niño phenomenon in Romblon, Oriental Mindoro, and Occidental Mindoro.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. was scheduled to personally hand over the assistance to beneficiaries on Thursday but the inclement weather prevented him from proceeding to Romblon.
Presidential Security Command Chief Brig. General Nelson Morales said the weather in Romblon was so bad that they were forced to go to Palawan instead for the President’s first engagement. “The safety of the President is our paramount consideration,” Morales said.
Of the PhP262 million figure, PhP3 million came from the Department of Agriculture (DA) for its African Swine Fever indemnification and PhP1.039 million from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) for the Operation and Maintenance Subsidy for irrigators associations (IAs).
The government will construct PhP26 million worth of irrigation system in Danao Sur, Dubduban, Gabawan and Taboboan-Tula. A cheque worth PhP10 million will be given under the Survival and Recovery Loan Program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council.
The Agri-Negosyo Loan Program offered PhP5 million to farmers, while the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will provide PhP774,537 in financial assistance under its Integrated Livelihood Program.
The Office of the President extended PhP116.64 million in financial aid to local government units of Romblon (PhP16.64 million); Occidental Mindoro (PhP50 million); and Oriental Mindoro (PhP50 million).
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also extended PhP10,000 each to the beneficiaries in Romblon, or a total of PhP100 million in financial assistance.
Through a speech delivered on his behalf by Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos during the distribution of assistance, President Marcos extended his gratitude to the farmers and fisherfolk who participated in the distribution of financial assistance at the Romblon State University quadrangle.
“Hiling ko na ang ayudang handog namin ngayon ay makatulong sa inyong hanapbuhay at lalong magpatibay sa inyo bilang isang lalawigan. Batid ko ang bigat ng mga pagsubok ng El Niño,” President Marcos stated.
Aside from financial aid, each of the attendees received five kilos of rice from the Office of Speaker Martin Romualdez of the House of Representatives.
The DA also provided 120 sacks of yellow corn seed, around 360 bottles of organic follar fertilizer, fertilizer discount vouchers, farming equipment, and other forms of assistance.
A Composting Facility for Biodegradable Waste was given by the Bureau of Soils and Water Management, while the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) distributed 2,200 sacks of Agricultural Grade Salt Fertilizers.
The Agricultural Training Institute, for its part, distributed financial assistance for the construction of the Farmers Information and Technology Services.
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) prepared 45 starter tool kits and conducted the Special Training for Employment Program.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) distributed two induction cookers, around 28 gill nets, three payaos, three food processing equipment, two boat repair materials, and three fiberglass reinforced boats.
“Mga kababayan, ang okasyon natin ngayon ay bunga ng ating panawagan ng pagkakaisa. Sa ilalim ng Bagong Pilipinas, ang bawat sangay at ahensya ng gobyerno ay nagtutulungan upang magbigay ng karampatang tulong sa ating mga mamamayan,” President Marcos said.
“Kaya asahan po ninyo na simula pa lamang ng a[k]ing pinagkaisang lakas upang maging mas maayos ang pagbibigay ng serbisyo sa sambayanang Pilipino,” the chief executive added.
The President said the Department of Health (DOH) is closely coordinating with the local government unit (LGU) for the modernization of healthcare facilities and hiring of more medical professionals, specialists and other healthcare workers. PND
