MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday handed over PhP50 million in financial assistance to the local government of Negros Oriental.
Another PhP25.44 million under the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families program was extended by the Chief Executive to Siquijor.
Governors Manuel Sagarbarria and Jake Vincent Villa received the financial assistance in behalf of the provincial governments of Negros Oriental and Siquijor, respectively.
The support was extended to aid farmers and fisherfolk affected by the El Niño phenomenon.
“Bukod po riyan, mamamahagi rin po tayo ng tig-sasampung libo sa mga piling benepisyaryo galing dito sa inyong lugar, na pangungunahan ng inyong lokal na pamahalaan,” President Marcos said during the distribution event in Dumaguete City.
“Ngayong araw din po ay ipapamahagi ng DSWD ang tig-sampung libong piso para sa pitong libo at dalawang daang benepisyaryo ng Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program dito sa Negros Oriental,” he said.
The President noted that the Department of Agriculture (DA) provided one Greenhouse with Hydroponics System to Dumaguete City. Tanjay City, meanwhile, got two of the packages.
A tractor, spindle-stripping machines, and stripping knives were handed over by the DA, Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech), and the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) during the event.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) also gave the beneficiaries in Negros Oriental one fishing boat, ropes, fishing nets, and feeds.
“Sa pagtutulungan po ng Department of Agriculture at saka ng PhilFIDA, magbibigay tayo ng binhi para sa urban gardening dito sa Lungsod ng Dumaguete; dalawampung sako ng yellow corn seeds para sa Tanjay City; at tatlumpung libong abaca planting materials para sa Negros Oriental,” President Marcos said.
“Mayroon ding pinansyal na tulong ang ilan nating ahensya tulad ng PCA — Philippine Coconut Authority po iyan at saka ACPC para sa pagtatanim ng niyog at pagsisimula ng agri-negosyo habang ang PCIC naman ay magbibigay ng danyos para sa mga magsasaka ng Tanjay City na nasalanta ang mga pananim,” he stated.
DOLE also participated in the aid program by extending financial assistance under its Integrated Livelihood Program and TUPAD.
The Technical Education and Skills Development (TESDA) distributed equipment for organic farming as well as scholarships for palay and coconut farmers.
Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) gave beneficiaries business kits, vouchers, and certificates under the Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa Program.
For its part, the Office of the Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez provided five kilos of rice to Negrenses attending the event. (PND)
