President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday emphasized the need for unified efforts to confront the challenges posed by the El Niño phenomenon.
In his speech during the distribution of financial and other assistance at Sultan Kudarat Sports and Cultural Center, Marcos assured the administration will exhaust all resources to ensure that no one will be left behind in the battle against El Niño.
“Mayroon tayong isang matinding kalabang kinakaharap ngayon, ang El Niño. Dito kailangan ang ating mas pina-igting na pagkakaisa upang tayo ay manaig at magtagumpay. Kaya ito ang pakay ko ngayon dito sa inyo. Hindi lang maghahatid ng tulong pero magbigay ng pangako: Na kasama ninyo ang pamahalaan sa paglaban sa masamang epektong dulot ng El Niño (We are facing a great enemy right now, which is El Niño. We need to intensify our unity in order to prevail and succeed. That is my goal here today. I’m here not only to distribute aid, but also to make a promise: That the government is with you in this fight against the negative impacts of El Niño),” Marcos said.
The President extended PHP100 million in presidential assistance to the provincial governments of Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato for the benefit of affected farmers and fisherfolk.
He turned over PHP50 million each to Sultan Kudarat Governor Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu and Cotabato Governor Emmylou Mendoza.
“Sa Bagong Pilipinas, nagkaka-isa po ang pamahalaan upang sabay-sabay nating mapagtagumpayan ang mga unos at pagsubok na ating nararanasan (Under the New Philippines, the government is united so that we can conquer together the tempests and obstacles we face),” he said.
The Chief Executive extended PHP10,000 presidential assistance each to affected farmers and fisherfolk, along with the PHP5,000 financial assistance from the Department of Agriculture (DA) under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund-Rice Farmers Financial Assistance.
The DA also distributed seedlings, fertilizers, pumping equipment and other agricultural machinery.
Marcos likewise distributed PHP10,000 financial assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation Program.
The Department of Labor and Employment, for its part, provided PHP4,000 cash assistance each to 583 beneficiaries under its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program.
Certificate grants amounting to over PHP940,000 were distributed by the Department of Trade and Industry to three farm agricultural groups, while the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority distributed 21 livelihood toolkits and allowances to their scholars.
President Marcos expressed hope the government assistance will serve as an instrument for the beneficiaries’ immediate recovery from losses caused by the dry spell.
“Ang pagbisita namin ngayon ay upang damayan kayo ngayong panahon ng krisis [at] matiyak na makararating ang ayuda at serbisyo ng pamahalaan sa inyo na tunay [na] nagsisikap para sa pamilya at para sa bayan (We visited today to empathize with you in this time of crisis and ensure that the government assistance and support will reach those who sincerely strive for their families and their country),” Marcos said. (PNA)