MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. brought on Thursday the whole-of-government approach to Zamboanga City to bring government services closer to the Filipino people especially in these trying times brought about by the El Niño phenomenon in the country.

In his speech, President Marcos said he brought with him the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Health (DOH) to ensure the needs of the Zamboanga residents will be attended.

“Kaming lahat ay patuloy na nakikipagugnayan at nagsasanib puwersa sa kagustuhang mapawi ang iniinda ninyong hirap dulot ng matinding tagtuyot,” President Marcos said during the distribution of presidential assistance to farmers, fisherfolk and families affected by El Niño at the Universidad de Zamboanga Summit.

“Kita niyo naman po, halos buong pwersa ng pamahalaan ang humaharap sa inyo ngayon dito,” he added.

President Marcos stressed it is not enough for him to just see the condition of the El Niño-affected residents based on reports, prompting him to personally visit them and oversee the distribution of the assistance they need.

“Kailangang personal kong makita at marinig ang inyong mga hinaing, at makita ng aking sariling mata ang kalagayan ng ating mga kababayan,” President Marcos said, adding that government services will be distributed all over the country.

The President also assured the people that no one will be left behind.

“Buong bansa ang tatamasa ng mga programang na ating ipinagkakaloob. Lalarga tayo sa buong kapuluan. Walang rehiyon na maiiwanan, walang lalawigan na makakaligtaan. Hindi ang lokal na pamahalaan ang dudulog sa Malacañang,” President Marcos said.

“Ang Malacañang ang pupunta sa mamamayan,” he added.

President Marcos said Filipinos affected by drought has already reached to 3.6 million individuals while losses to sources of income by farmers and fishermen has already reached PhP5.9 billion since the occurrence of the El Niño phenomenon.

In Zamboanga Peninsula alone, the President noted 3,000 hectares of farmlands were adversely affected.

“Talaga naman pong nakapanghihinayang ito at kaya naman kailangan natin ang agarang aksyon, lalo na po, ang agrikultura ang pangungahing pangkabuhayan ng ating mga minamahal na mga Zamboangueño,” President Marcos stressed.

The chief executive said the government opted to personally distribute the assistance to affected residents in the Zamboanga Peninsula as they are one of the areas greatly affected by the prevailing El Niño.

Before concluding his speech, President Marcos assured the residents and the local government units (LGUs) that the Marcos administration will exhaust all legal options to alleviate people’s suffering caused by the El Niño phenomenon.

“Hangad po namin na mabigyan kayong lahat ng maayos na buhay kaya naman po ay nagsisikap kami na bigyan ng pansin ang pangangailangan ng bawat probinsya at bayan sa buong bansa,” the chief executive told the residents.

The chief executive also assured the government will work tirelessly to ensure the needed support and resources are available to those affected by the drought brought about by El Niño. (PND)