Pola, Oriental Mindoro
April 15, 2023
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the distribution of various government assistance to more than 1,200 beneficiaries in the Municipality of Pola, Oriental Mindoro as he concluded his inspection and visit to the Province.
Pola was declared under a State of Calamity following the severe effects caused by the oil spill that transpired in Oriental Mindoro last February.
Assistance from the national government agencies included the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) and Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) programs; Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) Program; Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Rice Program, Organic Banner Program, High Value Commodity Development Program and loan assistance; Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ (BFAR) fishing boats, fishing equipment and fuel subsidy; and financial assistance for affected micro enterprises from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Apart from these, the President turned over fishing boats and post-harvest technology package for fisherfolks; a 65 HP tractor and units of pump and engine for farmers; water pumps for three (3) municipalities in Oriental Mindoro; kilos of assorted vegetable seeds, palay and corn seeds, and bags of black and brown rice.
The Chief Executive assured Oriental Mindoro of the national government’s commitment in extending full support to address the oil spill and provide for all the needs of the affected communities.
“Kaya’t ang aming ginagawa ay sabi natin ay kailangan may hanapbuhay ang tao. Kaya’t nagpa-plano kami, ‘yung mga livelihood na pwedeng dalhin at pwedeng buhayin. Pero ang sabi ko nga sa kanila, ang livelihood program ay para lang sa oil spill, kahit na mawala na ‘yung oil spill, sana patuloy naman yung livelihood program para ang mga residente meron namang option, meron namang pagkakataon na makasubok naman ng ibang hanapbuhay,” he said in his brief remarks.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported that it is undertaking measures to provide temporary work under its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD) Program and open sustainable livelihood not only for the fisherfolks, but for the fish sellers and tourism workers, among others.
“Asahan po ninyo na ang national government, nandito po kaming lahat upang alalayan ang sitwasyon ninyo dito at asahan ninyo na hindi titigil ‘yan hanggang kayo’y nakabangon na,” the Chief Executive ended in his message.
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