Ensuring that all families and individuals severely affected by Severe Tropical Storm (STS) ‘Kristine’ will be assisted, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian joined President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr in the distribution of the Presidential Assistance to farmers, fisherfolk and their families (PAFFF) in Bicol Region on Wednesday (November 6).

“Narito po akong muli upang personal na maghatid ng mga karagdagang tulong para sa mga kababayan natin na lubhang naapektuhan ng Bagyong Kristine dito sa Camarines Sur. Umaasa ako na sa tulong at suportang iniaabot namin sa inyo ngayon, kayo ay magkakaroon ng sapat na kakayahan upang makabangon muli,” President Marcos said in his message during the aid distribution at the Fuerte CamSur Sports Complex in Pili, Camarines Sur.

In his message, Secretary Gatchalian assured Bicolanos that the DSWD will continue providing assistance to the affected families, in addition to the 500,000 boxes of family food packs (FFPs) released to the local government units (LGUs) in Bicol Region based on the instruction of President Marcos.

“Ngayong araw na ito, nandito po kami kasama ng iba pang departamento, para dalhin naman ang financial assistance,” Secretary Gatchalian said.

The DSWD chief assisted the chief executive in the ceremonial distribution of Php10,000 each to select beneficiaries.

Some 5,000 farmers, fisherfolk, and other families affected by Kristine are expected to receive their assistance during the aid-giving.

“Alam naman natin na pagkatapos ng sakuna, maraming kailangang ayusin at maraming kailangang kumpunihin. Kaya narito po kami para agarang matugunan ang inyong mga pangangailangan,” Secretary Gatchalian pointed out.

Camarines Sur Governor Vincenzo Renato Luigi Villafuerte expressed his gratitude to President Marcos and Secretary Gatchalian for the immediate assistance provided to his constituents.

“Aside from the 231 barangays na totally submerged , the 693 barangays that were partially submerged were also given assistance, 100 percent. Kaya maraming, maraming salamat. Secretary Rex, salamat din po sa tulong, hindi n’yo po kami pinabayaan, sinigurado niyo po na hindi kami mauubusan,” Governor Villafuerte said.

After the distribution of cash assistance in Camarines Sur, the Presidential team headed to Legazpi City to distribute cash aid to 5,000 farmers and fisherfolk in Albay province.

“Mula sa Tanggapan ng Pangulo, katuwang ang DSWD, maglalaan din po tayo ng Php50 million upang matugunan ang pangangailangan ng mga naapektuhan sa tatlong lungsod at labinlimang bayan ng Albay,” President Marcos said in his message during the financial assistance distribution at the Ibalong Centrum for Recreation in Legazpi City in Albay.

The Cabinet officials who were present during the aid distributions include Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Secretary Antonio “Anton” Lagdameo Jr., Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla.

Accompanying Secretary Gatchalian were DSWD Undersecretary for Operations Monina Josefina Romualdez and Field Office 5-Bicol Regional Director Norman Laurio.

The Presidential team also held a PAFFF payout in the Municipalities of Talisay and Laurel in Batangas last November 4. (YADP)