LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) – In celebration of the 67th birthday of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the “Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat” service fair was launched on Sept. 13 and benefitted more than 2,000 Ilokanos.
Held at the public auditorium of Vintar, Ilocos Norte, the event gathered national government agencies to provide crucial services and support to the residents.
Secretary Arsenio Balisacan of the National Economic and Development Authority also joined the officials in the event launch.
A joint payout under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program was conducted through the collaboration between the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte and the Office of First District Representative Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos.
More than 1,000 benefited from the program.
The Department of Trade and Industry also awarded improved product labels to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and mounted a mini trade fair showcasing “One Town, One Product” in Ilocos Norte.
Likewise, the Department of Agrarian Reform distributed 27 Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (COCROM) to qualified agrarian reform beneficiaries.
Moreover, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Labor and Employment, and Department of Agriculture provided their essential services, such as the provision of farm inputs and machineries to farmers’ organizations, as well as fish fingerlings and fishing paraphernalia to fisherfolk.
Rolled out simultaneously across the country, President Marcos addressed the participants of the event in a telecast broadcasted in the venue through an LED wall.
“Ang araw na ito ay hindi lamang isang pagdiriwang, kundi isang pagkakataon upang magbigay ng bagong simula at tunay na pagbabago sa bawat Pilipino,” said Marcos.
(This day is not just a celebration but an opportunity to provide a new beginning and real change for every Filipino.)
Meanwhile, Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc also greeted the president, his uncle, at his birthday celebration.
“Nitong Sept. 11 ay ang birthday ng aking lolo, ang ating Ilokano hero, President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. Ngayon naman, ito po ang birthday ng ating kasalukuyang Pangulo Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Ang gusto niya, nationwide ang distribution kasi ang birthday ni PBBM ay ang birthday nating lahat, at ang birthday ng Ilocos Norte,” Manotoc remarked.
(September 11 is my grandfather’s birthday, our Ilokano hero, President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. Today is also the birthday of our current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. What he wants is nationwide distribution because PBBM’s birthday is everyone’s birthday and the birthday of Ilocos Norte.)
Regarded as the solid north and Ilocos Norte as the Marcos’ bailiwick, Ilokanos also sent their birthday wishes to the head of state and thanked him for bringing government programs closer to their homes.
“Happy Birthday to our President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Sana ay bigyan pa kayo ng Panginoon ng marami pang taon upang mas marami ka pang matulungan na mga tao na katulad namin ay kapos sa buhay,” said Lilia Velasco from Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, who also attended the event to avail various government services.
(May the Lord grant him many more years so he can continue helping more Filipinos, especially those who are struggling like us.)
Marcos Jr. was born on Sept. 13, 1957, in Santa Mesa, Manila. (AMB/MJTAB/PIA Ilocos Norte)
