Photo courtesy of Presidential Communications Office
LEGAZPI CITY (PIA) — After the prolonged dry spell caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. directed local officials in Bicol to prepare for the onset of the typhoon season.
“Here in Region 5, many typhoons are passing through. That’s why I am instructing the local governments and all government agencies here in Region 5 to re-evaluate your plans to be prepared whenever there is a threat of disaster,” the President, speaking in Filipino, told some 6,000 people who gathered at the Albay Astrodome, where he led the distribution of aid to farmers, fishermen, and families whose livelihoods were disrupted by the dry spell.
“Make sure everyone is safe, and in case people need to evacuate, there should be an adequate supply of food and basic necessities for those affected,” he added.
The President reassured the public that the national government is prepared to face the impacts of typhoons and urged local governments to increase their preparedness.
The President also distributed at least P50 million in aid to drought-affected families in Bicol.
According to Department of Social Welfare and Development Regional Director Norman Laurio, each beneficiary received P10,000.
The President also provided P40,000 to each of the 40 beneficiaries.
In addition to the direct cash assistance to families, farmers, and fishermen, President Marcos issued checks to the provincial governments of Albay, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, and Masbate totaling P100 million.
The President also handed over farm inputs and equipment, including water pumping sets, cassava granulators, hybrid rice seeds, inbred certified seeds, hybrid corn seeds, fertilizer, tractors, fiber fishing boats, and gillnets.
On the other hand, the Office of the House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez distributed five kilograms of rice to each attendee. (PIA5)
