President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. lauded on Friday the provincial governments and residents of Sultan Kudarat for keeping peace and order in the province through unified efforts.

In his speech during the distribution of financial assistance to farmers, fisherfolk and their families at the Sultan Kudarat Sports and Cultural Center, 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 said. “Isang asensadong Sultan Kudarat na payapa at progresibo,” he added.

President Marcos led the distribution of PhP100 million in presidential assistance to the provincial governments of Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato for the benefit of farmers and fisherfolk affected by the El Niño phenomenon in the country.

He handed over PhP50 million each to Sultan Kudarat Governor Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu and Cotabato Governor Emmylou Mendoza during the ceremonial turnover of assistance at the venue.

More than 14,000 Sultan Kudarat residents warmly welcomed the President at the Sultan Kudarat Sports and Cultural Center in Isulan.

The Chief Executive also extended other financial assistance and government services from the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) distributed certificate grants amounting to over PhP940,000 to three farm agricultural groups while the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) distributed 21 livelihood toolkits and allowances to their scholars.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez also provided five kilos of rice to each resident. |PND