President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. distributed PhP325 million in financial assistance to typhoon-hit farmers and fisherfolk in the Cagayan Valley region.
Of the figure, President Marcos gave over PhP10,000 each to 1,500 beneficiaries in Isabela, PhP10 million each to the local government of Tuguegarao City and to 20 typhoon-affected municipalities in Cagayan.
President Marcos also extended PhP50 million each to the provincial governments of Quirino and Isabela.
In his speech, President Marcos assured Cagayan of the government’s relentless support to typhoon-hit communities.
“Matapos dumaan ang anim na bagyo simula noong katapusan ng Oktubre—wala pang apat na linggo, anim ang dumaan sa atin—batid po ng pamahalaan ang matinding dusa na naranasan ninyo at ang hirap sa pagbangon mula sa mga nasira hindi lamang nga imprastruktura kundi ang hanapbuhay, lalo na ng ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Ang inyong pamahalaan ay laging namang handa na tumulong at samahan kayong makabangon,” the President said.
“Bago pa lang dumating ang bagyo at sa mga araw at linggo pagkaalis nito, nakaalalay na ang inyong mga lokal na pamahalaan at mga iba’t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno para mailigtas kayo sa kapahamakan at manumbalik agad ang inyong pamumuhay,” he added.
The President made the remarks during the distribution of Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families (PAFFF) at the Ilagan City Community Center.
To address the long-term impact of climate-related disasters, the President listed key government projects designed to bolster disaster resilience in the region. They include flood control mitigation structures, irrigation systems, and rehabilitation initiatives for major river basins and dams.
“Sa kasalukuyan, pinag-aaralan na natin [ang] mga master plans para sa major river basins sa bansa, gaya ng Cagayan River Basin. Sinisimulan na rin po ang pagsasaayos ng Magat Dam ,” the President said.
“Kasalukuyan din po ang pagpapatayo ng iba pang flood control structures katulad ng Tumauini River Multipurpose Project. Hindi lamang ito flood control po ito, ito rin po ay makakatulong sa patubig ng mga pananim ng ating mga magsasaka,” he added.
The President instructed government agencies and local government units to fast track the projects and ensure their timely completion.
Before ending his speech, the President thanked the first responders for their dedication to help ensure public safety during the series of typhoons in the country.
“Saludo ako sa inyong lakas, tibay, at tapang. Kaya muli, tanggapin ninyo ang aking taos-pusong pasasalamat. Dahil diyan, kasama sa aking bilin sa DSWD, at ilan pang mga ahensya ng gobyerno na tiyakin naaasikaso at naaalagaan din ang kapakanan ng ating mga first responders,” he said. |PND
