BACOLOD CITY (PIA) — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. is expected to lead the ceremonial distribution of financial aid worth P10,000 each to 8,315 farmers and fisherfolk in Negros Occidental who were severely affected by the El Niño phenomenon, amounting to a total of P83,150,000.
According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Asec. to Television Dale de Vera, this distribution is in line with the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk and Families (PAFFF), with the budget coming from the Office of the President.
De Vera also mentioned that PAFFF beneficiaries were endorsed and validated by the Department of Agriculture (DA).
“What the government wants is ilapit po ang assistance, ‘yung tulong ng gobyerno sa public instead of the people going in the palace”, de Vera said, noting that the president conveys a message that no one is left behind during a crisis.
(What the government wants is to bring the assistance, the government’s help closer to the public instead of the people going to the palace.)
De Vera also disclosed that local government units that received funds from the Office of the President will be given 30 days to liquidate upon its release to the recipients to ensure transparency.
Other government agencies are likewise set to turn over machineries to the beneficiaries.
President Marcos will be accompanied by a Special Assistant to the President Sec. Antonio Lagdameo, Jr., DA Sec. Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr., and Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Sec. Cheloy Garafil on June 27 at University of Negros Occidental –Recoletos (UNO-R).
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, Bacolod City Mayor Alfreo Abelardo Benitez and other provincial and local government officials and government agencies are expected to attend the event.
Meanwhile, a “LAB for ALL” activity will be opened to the public at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos grounds on June 27 covering free medical laboratory tests and screenings.
A brainchild of First Lady Liza Marcos, the LAB for ALL aims to make healthcare services more accessible to Filipinos through the conduct of caravans that offer free consultation, health screening and assessment, laboratory tests, and medicines as well as other services from various government agencies. (ED/AAL/LMLE/PIA 6)
