MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. extended P100 million in Presidential assistance to the provincial governments of Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato on Friday.

The President gave the cash assistance as he led the distribution of other financial assistance and government services to farmers, fisherfolk and families affected by the El Niño phenomenon in the two provinces.

The President handed over PhP50 million each to Sultan Kudarat Gov. Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu and Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza during the ceremonial turnover at the Sultan Kudarat Sports and Cultural Center.

In his speech, President Marcos said the distribution of financial assistance and provision of various government services showed the administration’s commitment to uplift the lives of the Filipino people under “Bagong Pilipinas.”

“Kaya ito ang pakay ko ngayon dito sa inyo. Hindi lang maghahatid ng tulong pero magbigay ng pangako na kasama n’yo ang pamahalaan sa paglaban sa masamang epektong dulot ng El Niño,” President Marcos told the gathering.

“Sa Bagong Pilipinas, nagkakaisa po ang pamahalaan upang sabay-sabay nating mapagtagumpayan ang mga unos at pagsubok na ating nararanasan,” the President added.

President Marcos also assured the farmers, fisherfolk and the residents of Sultan Kudarat that the administration will exhaust all resources to ensure that no one will be left behind in the battle against El Nino.

The chief executive extended P10,000 presidential assistance each to affected farmers, fisherfolk and their families along with the P5,000 financial assistance from the Department of Agriculture (DA) under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund-Rice Farmers Financial Assistance.

The DA also distributed seedlings, fertilizers, pumping equipment and other agricultural machineries.

The President also distributed PhP10,000 financial assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation Program.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), for its part, provided around PhP4,000 cash assistance each to 583 beneficiaries under its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.

Certificate grants amounting to over PhP940,000 were also distributed by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to three farm agricultural groups while the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) distributed 21 livelihood toolkits and allowances to their scholars.

Speaker Martin Romualdez, for his part, also provided five kilos of rice to each resident.

“Ang pagbisita namin ngayon ay upang damayan kayo ngayong panahon ng krisis [at] matiyak na makararating ang ayuda at serbisyo ng pamahalaan sa inyo na tunay [na] nagsisikap para sa pamilya at para sa bayan,” President Marcos said.

“Lubos ang aking paghanga sa patuloy ninyong pagtiyaga upang matupad ang inyong mga hangarin at maging susi sa tuluyang pagbabago ng ating lipunan,” the chief executive added.

Before concluding his speech, President Marcos hoped the government assistance provided to the beneficiaries will serve as an instrument for their immediate recovery from their losses caused by the dry spell brought by El Niño. (PND)