ILOILO CITY (PIA) – Ilonggos have availed different government services and financial assistance through the “Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat” program that marked the 67th birthday of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Sept. 13, 2024.
Jocelyn Orias, one of the beneficiaries under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantage/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) from Janiuay, Iloilo, expressed her gratitude to the government, citing that it is already a big help for them, especially that she is already a widow.
“I am really thankful as this is already a big help for us. I will use this salary from TUPAD for our daily needs, especially of my grandchildren who no longer have a mother,” Orias said in Hiligaynon during the program at Iloilo Provincial Capitol lobby.
Rodolfo Demevas, a farmer from Dumangas, Iloilo, also acknowledged President Marcos and the Department of Agriculture (DA)-6 for the assistance extended to them.
“It will be used to cater to our needs, especially of our children. Prices of goods in the market are already high, so we are thankful for the assistance,” Demevas said in local dialect as he received his P5,000 cash aid as well as farm inputs from DA-6.
Jolly Pama, 48, a father of two from Barangay Tacas, likewise thanked the government as he was among those who availed the P29-per kilo Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka (BBM) rice from the National Irrigation Administration (NIA)-6, citing that the 10 kilos of rice, which normally costs P60 per kilo in the market, could last for up to two weeks for his family.
The NIA-6 conducted the pilot implementation of the BBM rice in a separate venue as part of the “Handog ng Pangulo” program, where they prepared 1,000 bags of rice at 10 kilos per bag for vulnerable groups, including the elderly, persons with disability, and solo parents.
The DOLE-6, on the other hand, released PHP3.18 million for the salary of 1,098 beneficiaries of the emergency employment scheme TUPAD and P2 million in assistance for the two groups that are recipients of a store project and other projects under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program.
The DA-6 released P1.015 million Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) for 203 rice growers of Iloilo City and Dumangas town; and turned over P17.55 million worth of hybrid seeds and P17.51 million of soil ameliorants to different local government units in Iloilo province.
The department also granted projects to farmer-cooperatives and associations in Iloilo, including the P10-million worth each of INSPIRE-Recovery of Breeder-Base Establishment of 30-sow level multiplier farm project to POPA Agricultural Cooperative of Iloilo City, Calinog Livestock and Poultry Association, and Miagao Hog Raisers’ Association; P2.1-million worth chicken multiplier farm project for Igbaras Federation of Farmers’ Association; P1-million rabbit multiplier project to Calinog Rabbit Raisers Association; P10-million worth each of 30-sow level production farm project to Panay Agrarian Reform Cooperative (ARC), Pinili Development Cooperative, CAPISAN ARC, Tu-og Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Leon Hog Farmers Association, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist – Iloilo, San Enrique LGU, and LADAP ARC; and P2.5-million cattle multiplier farm project to Pavia Livestock Growers Association.
Meanwhile, Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Raphael Lotilla, who served as one of the guests during the event, stressed that Ilonggos can look forward to more projects under the President’ leadership brand – Bagong Pilipinas.
Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., on his part, said that the provincial government’s “MoRProGRes Iloilo” mantra serves as the machinery of the President’s “Bagong Pilipinas” campaign at the local level, aiming to provide government services to the communities. (JNH/PIA Iloilo)
