Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian joined President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr as the Chief Executive flew north to distribute government aid through the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk and their Families (PAFFF) who were affected by Typhoon Marce.
In his speech during the aid-giving in the Municipality of Buguey, Cagayan province on Sunday (November 10), President Marcos emphasized that the government will continue providing interventions to the affected families, especially those taking temporary shelter in the evacuation centers and those staying with their relatives or friends.
“Hangga’t maaari, hangga’t kaya namin, hangga’t kaya naming gawin – at kahit na hindi namin kaya, gagawan namin ng paraan, kakayanin natin dahil mahirap naman basta pabayaan ang mga tao,” the President told the Cagayanos present.
Secretary Gatchalian assisted President Marcos in the distribution of family food packs (FFPs) to the affected farmers, fisherfolk and their families.
Some 1,500 Marce-hit families are expected to receive FFPs from the DSWD during the aid distribution.
The President handed over Php10 million in cash assistance from the Office of the President (OP) to each of the eight severely affected municipalities in Cagayan, namely Aparri, Buguey, Gattaran, Gonzaga, Sanchez-Mira, Santa Teresita, Baggao, and Santa Ana.
Continuing the aid distribution, the Presidential team headed to the Municipality of Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte.
President Marcos handed over Php50 million financial aid to the provincial government of llocos Norte.
Secretary Gatchalian assisted President Marcos in the distribution of FFPs.
Some 1,067 boxes of FFPs are expected to be given to affected farmers, fisherfolk and their families.
“Kung mayroon pa po kayong ibang pangangailangan, nandyan ang local government units (LGU), provincial government. Nandyan din po ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno. Lapitan nyo lang po at lahat ng maaari naming gawin ay gagawin namin,” President Marcos said as he addressed his fellow Ilocanos.
The Cabinet officials who were present during the aid distributions include Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Secretary Antonio Lagdameo Jr.; Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan; Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara; Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy; and Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) Secretary Katrina Ponce Enrile. # (YADP)
