SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro (PIA) — “Maraming, maraming salamat kagalang-galang na Pangulo” was all what Mindoreños can say to President Ferdinand R. Marcos as he personally distributed the assistance to the farmers and fisherfolk who suffered by the typhoons in Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro, November 14..
Farmers expressed gratitude to President Marcos Jr. for the financial assistance extended to 5,000 typhoon-affected individuals. Each beneficiary received ₱10,000 which aims to cover their family’s needs as they recuperate from the typhoon’s damages.
“Maraming marami pong salamat sa inyo, kagalang-galang [na] BBM, sa napakalaking tulog na naipagkaloob ninyo sa amin sapagkat kami po ay naapektuhan ng bagyong Kristine,” Andres Kalaw said.
Kalaw said that he will use the grant to rehabilitate his damaged farmland.
Pedro Marasigan, a member of the Mangyan Indigenous Peoples tribe in Naujan town, also thanked President Marcos Jr. for the aid, which he will use to purchase fertilizers.
Rizza Magarso from the municipality of Roxas, shared that their livelihood was greatly affected by the recent typhoon as they rely on farming for their needs.
“Dahil kay Bongbong Marcos, nagpapasalamat po kami…malaking tulong na po ito sa aking pamilya, sa mga anak, at hindi lang po sa akin, sa mga tao pong naririto ngayong umaga. Ramdam ko po ang kasiyahan nila na nadarama ngayon,” Magarso said.
She added that she would use the money to buy food, her children’s school supplies, and farm inputs for the next cropping.
“Bagyo, bagyo ka lang. Kami ay babangon,” she stressed.
In his welcome address, the President acknowledged the spirit of cooperation or bayanihan of the people amidst challenges brought by the onslaught of recent typhoons Kristine and Leon.
“Hindi man natin mapipigilan ang pagtama ng mga bagyong ito sa bansa, maaari naman tayong gumawa ng mga hakbang upang maibsan ang mga epekto nito. Makakaasa kayo na ang pamahalaan ay narito para matulungan kayo na makabangon sa mga ganitong pagsubok,” he said.
(We may not be able to stop typhoons from entering the country, but we can take actions to mitigate its effects. Rest assured that the government is here to help you recover from this challenge.)
The Department of Agriculture report estimates that the combined damage caused by Typhoons Kristine and Leon in the province amounts to approximately ₱318.75 million, affecting 7,811 farmers from 29 barangays and causing landslides in two towns. (DSG/PIA MIMAROPA–Occidental Mindoro)
