Palaweños thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday for bringing his aid program to Palawan.
The President visited Palawan to implement his Presidential Assistance for Farmers, fisherfolk and their Families (PAFFF).
“Maraming salamat na binigyan tayo ganitong ng mga financial assistance katulad ng 10,000 (pesos). Maraming tulong sa ating mahihirap. Katulad sa amin na mahirap talaga,” said Rowel Socrates, a 53 year-old farmer from Roxas, Palawan.
Socrates said he will use the financial assistance to buy second hand farming tools and seedlings.
“Malaking tulong po sa amin ang binibigay ng gobyerno sa amin,” said another farmer, 50-year old Rafael Macalua.
On the other hand, Bella Baquiao thanked the President for the Ayuda sa Kapos (AKAP), a program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
“Maraming salamat po sa ating Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na kami ay binigyan ng pagkakataon na makatanggap kami ng assistance po,” Baquiao said.
The assistance will finance her child’s tuition in college, Baquiao said.
In his speech, President Marcos said El Niño caused damages worth PhP3 billion in the Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan (Mimaropa) region.
“Narapat lamang na [pa-ulanan] naman namin kayo ng tulong upang maka-ahon kayo sa pagsubok na [pinagdaanan] ninyo,” he said.
Through the Marcos administration’s whole-of-government approach, various government agencies worked together to help needy Filipinos.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) distributed seedlings, fertilizers, farming tools and equipment. It provided funds for the Survival and Recovery Program and the Agri-Negosyo Loan Program. It also conducted trainings to improve farmers’ livelihood.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource (BFAR) distributed five boats, three ferries, and two fish cages to fisherfolk in the area.
On the other hand, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) allotted over PhP8 million for operation and maintenance subsidy of irrigators’ associations (AIs).
A certificate of condonation and exemption will also be given to landowners under the National and Communal Irrigation System to reduce their burden of debt.
More than PhP200 million worth of irrigation projects were also given to farmers of Papualan, Sumbiling, Timburan, Bagong Bayan, and Apurawan.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will also extend funds to the local governments of Dumaran, San Vicente, Roxas, Taytay, Cagayancillo, and Aracelli. They will also support rebel returnees and their families.
To further improve Mimaropa’s economy, the government is finishing the Ibato-Iraan Small Reservoir Irrigation Project in Aborlan and the Dr. Damian Reyes Road in Marinduque.
The administration is also prioritizing the Puerto Princesa Airport Development Project and the Pag-asa Airport Development Project which are expected to boost Palawan’s tourism and transport sectors.
President Marcos also assured Palaweños of government’s help when La Nina arrives in the country.
A standby fund and stockpile of relief goods worth PhP140 million were prepared by the government for Mimaropa in anticipation of calamities to be brought by the weather phenomenon. *PND*
