President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday led the distribution of emergency cash aid and family food packs to 800 disaster-affected families and fuel assistance cards to 275 farmers in La Union.
All families victimized by Typhoon Emong in July received PHP10,179 each under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) – Ilocos Region’s Emergency Cash Transfer program. Other validated beneficiaries will receive the same assistance in the coming weeks.
“We are here to ensure that all the assistance intended for the beneficiaries are given to all the victims. This is not yet due to Nando but Emong. First of all, the DSWD is there distributing relief goods so that families have somewhat food to eat and health kits, to ensure you will not get sick, especially your young children,” Marcos said in Filipino during the distribution in San Fernando City.
A total of 275 farmer-beneficiaries received PHP3,000 in fuel cash cards. “Through the Department of Agriculture, we are distributing fuel assistance cards and fertilizer. We also give seedlings (seeds) so that if the crops have been destroyed there are replacements,” Marcos said.
The President announced more assistance for the people, citing PHP195 billion in savings from the Department of Public Works and Highways funds. “We were able to save because we have seen many projects that are not responsive to the problem, and there are also ghost projects and substandard [construction]. So I stopped all of them to make sure that the money, your money, will be used rightly, since it is your money,” he emphasized.
Marcos added that nearly PHP36 billion from the savings will go to DSWD programs like Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation and the Sustainable Livelihood Program. “This may not be enough, [but] Filipinos are known as the most hardworking, kindest and most skillful like all of you, persevering, sacrificing. Your government is here to help to the best of our capabilities,” Marcos concluded.
Marcos also visited the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center and the PhilHealth YAKAP (Yaman ng Kalusugan Program) caravan at San Agustin (Poro) Elementary School, which provided free medical consultations and services to around 300 pupils, teachers, parents, and guardians.Copy messageExport