President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is arriving today in Negros Occidental, to distribute P83 million financial aid to more than 8,000 farmers and fisherfolk, who were severely affected by the El Niño phenomenon in the province.
Each of the 8,315 beneficiaries, which were pre-identified by the Department of Agriculture, will receive P10,000, according to Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Assistant Secretary to Television Dale de Vera.
Devera added that the distribution is in line with the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk and Families (PAFFF), with the budget coming from the Office of the President.
“What the government wants is ilapit po ang assistance, ‘yung tulong ng gobyerno sa public instead of the people going in the palace”, de Vera said, noting that the president conveys a message that no one is left behind during a crisis. (What the government wants is to bring the assistance, the government’s help, closer to the public instead of the people going to the palace.)
De Vera also disclosed that local government units that received funds from the Office of the President will be given 30 days to liquidate upon its release to the recipients to ensure transparency.
Other government agencies are likewise set to turn over machinery to the beneficiaries.
President Marcos will be accompanied by a Special Assistant to the President Sec. Antonio Lagdameo, Jr., Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr., and Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Sec. Cheloy Garafil in the ceremonial distribution of financial aid today at University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R) gymnasium in Bacolod City.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Bacolod City Mayor Alfreo Abelardo Benitez, and other provincial and local government officials and government agencies are expected to attend the event.
Meanwhile, a “LAB for ALL” activity will be opened to the public at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos grounds on June 27, covering free medical laboratory tests and screenings.
A brainchild of First Lady Liza Marcos, the LAB for ALL aims to make healthcare services more accessible to Filipinos through the conduct of caravans that offer free consultation, health screening and assessment, laboratory tests, and medicines as well as other services from various government agencies.*
