Albay Astrodome, Legazpi City
June 7, 2024
“Narito po ako ngayon — kasama ang ilang ahensya ng pamahalaan, upang kamustahin kayo at personal na maghatid ng serbisyo at tulong,” conveyed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to farmers, fisherfolk and families when he led the distribution of various assistance in a program at the Albay Astrodome in Legazpi City.
In his message, the President stated that almost 19,000 families in over 300 barangays in the Provinces of Albay, Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon are severely affected by the El Niño phenomenon. During the event, he distributed financial assistance worth PhP40,000 to 40 beneficiaries, as well as more than PhP100 million to the four (4) Provincial Governments.
He also led the turnover of assistance from the Department of Agriculture (DA) and its Attached Agencies. These include units of pumping sets, cassava granulators, tractors, seeds and the like that are significant for both fishing and farming.
Through the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided PhP10,000 each to 5,000 beneficiaries while the Office of House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez handed over five (5) kilograms of rice to each event attendee.
“Sisiguraduhin po natin na ang bawat ayuda na ipamamahagi namin ay makararating sa lahat ng mga pinaka-nangangailangan… Ang hiling ko lang sa ating mga benepisyaryo ay samantalahin ninyo ang pagkakataon na ito upang makabangon at makapagsimulang muli,” the Chief Executive expressed.
He also emphasized the importance of collaboration, urging citizens not to hesitate in seeking assistance from their local government units (LGUs) as this leads to more efficient and effective solutions in addressing the communities’ needs in times of crisis.
“Kaya naman inaatasan ko ang lokal na pamahalaan at lahat ng ahensya ng pamahalaan dito sa Region V na suriing muli ang mga plano ninyo para makahanda sa tuwing may banta ng sakuna,” he remarked.
The government is currently outlining port projects in Albay and Sorsogon aimed at expediting the trade and transportation of goods, particularly food and agricultural products.
Furthermore, he reiterated that the DA is intensifying efforts to implement projects to enhance agricultural land development, irrigation and fishing areas, as well as to utilize science-based and climate-resilient technologies in farming, and construct agro-processing facilities in strategic agricultural and fisheries development areas, among others.
“Sa mga minamahal kong kababayan dito sa Legazpi at sa mga nanggaling pa sa iba’t-ibang karatig-bayan nito, muli ko pong ipinapaabot sa inyo ang aking taos-pusong pasasalamat sa tiwala at suporta na ipinagkaloob niyo sa akin… Kasama ng buong puwersa ng pamahalaan, tutuparin po namin ang pangako na walang Pilipinong maiiwan sa ating paglalakbay patungo sa isang Bagong Pilipinas,” President Marcos Jr. ended in his speech.
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