MANILA — Local government officials of Surigao del Sur hailed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for his exceptional brand of leadership.
According to them, the Chief Executive is the only president of the country who personally visited residents of the province and extended financial assistance to those in need.
“Maraming, maraming salamat po mahal na President dahil kayo lang ang Presidente – hindi naman sa pagsisira ng iba – na hindi lang tuwing kalamidad pumupunta … Kayo lang ang Presidente na umiikot sa buong bansa,” Surigao del Sur Gov. Alexander Pimentel said in his opening remarks.
Pimentel hailed President Marcos for his exceptional effort to ensure that all forms of assistance reach every Filipino across the country.
“Lahat ng probinsya, kahit walang kalamidad [dinadalaw ng pangulo) para magbigay ng mga tulong sa mga lahat ng klase ng tao lalo na sa mga farmers and fisherfolks … Masayang-masaya po kaming lahat. Hulog kayo ng Diyos sa amin. Maraming, maraming salamat po,” he added.
Surigao del Sur Rep. Romeo Momo said he is one with the 10,000 fisherfolk and farmers in thanking President Marcos for reaching out and helping them during trying times brought about by El Niño.
“Ang aming taos pusong pasasalamat po sa inyo pong pagdalaw sa aming probinsya despite of your hectic schedule,” Momo told the President in his speech during the distribution of assistance to fisherfolk and farmers affected by El Niño in Surigao del Sur.
Momo said the presidential assistance extended to El Niño-hit sectors is a big help to boost their recovery.
“Kaya ang pagbisita ng ating mahal na Pangulo dito sa atin ay hindi lamang pagbibigay ng ayuda kung hindi alamin din siguro ng ating mahal na Pangulo ang kalagayan at pangangailangan ng ating probinsya,” he added.
For his part, Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel (2nd district) said they are grateful to President Marcos who personally visited and assisted El Niño victims
Pimentel echoed the observation that President Marcos is the first chief executive to personally extend assistance to needy Filipinos affected by a disaster.
“Kayo po, ito po ang kauna-unahang pagkakataon na ang isang Presidente ay bumisita” sa Lalawigan ng Surigao del Sur at namigay ng mga ayuda sa mga magsasaka at sa mga mangingisda,” Pimentel said.
He said President Marcos’ gesture only showed the Chief Executive is the kind of leader who is willing help uplift the lives of Filipinos.
“Kayo po ang Pangulo na tinitingala ko na may malaking puso para tulungan ang mga kapwa Pilipino dito sa ating bansa. I would like to assure President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. that all the people of Surigao del Sur [are] in full support of your programs and administration,” he said.
“Makakaasa po kayo, Mr. President kami po nasa likod niyo sa lahat ng inyong programa,” he added.
The local officials also extended their gratitude to President Marcos for helping them when the province was hit by a strong earthquake in 2023. (PND)
