MANILA — Over PhP30 million in cash assistance were personally extended by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to the fishermen and farmers affected by the El Niño phenomenon in Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur on Thursday.
President Marcos handed over PhP10 million in cash assistance each to Maguindanao del Sur Governor Bai Mariam Mangudadatu; Maguindanao del Norte Governor Abdulraof Macacua; and Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also extended PhP10,000 to the El Niño-hit farmers and fisherfolk.
In his speech during the distribution of financial aid to farmers and fisherfolk in Maguindanao del Sur, President Marcos said he chose to extend the financial assistance to personally witness their condition and advice them on how to mitigate the effects of the natural phenomenon.
“At bilang Pangulo, tinitiyak ko na ang pamahalaan ay hindi titigil sa pagkilos upang pagaanin ang bigat ng epekto ng El Niño sa inyong pamumuhay,” President Marcos told the thousands of farmers and fisherfolk affected by the El Niño phenomenon in the province. Gaya ng nasabi ko kanina, narito po kami upang makipag-tulungan sa inyong lokal na pamahalaan at magbigay ng agarang tulong sa mga apektadong magsasaka, mangingisda, at ang mga pamilya na nasalanta,” he added.
President Marcos also assured the residents that his administration will continue to monitor the situation in the Mindanao region and the condition of its people to ensure more effective measures will be implemented in response to their needs.
The chief executive said the government has just recently inaugurated the Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Project (MMIP) Stage II project that aims to provide sustainable irrigation system to thousands of farmlands in Cotabato and Maguindanao. (PND)
