GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PIA) -- Senator Imee Marcos led the ceremonial distribution of P3 million in aid to 1,000 women beneficiaries who received P3,000 each under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) in keeping with the observance of National Women’s Month.
The distribution of AICS, attended by people from different sectors such as pregnant women, senior citizens, persons with disability, among other beneficiaries, was held at SM City General Santos’ Trade Hall on March 12.
The senator was en route from Cebu City to the home of champions-- General Santos-- to continue her humanitarian efforts, paying homage to the women sector, especially those who were in need of immediate assistance through the AICS.
AICS is a program under the Dept. of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as safety net to support the recovery of individuals and families suffering from crisis.
Senator Marcos was welcomed by Mayor Lorelie Geronimo-Pacquiao at the General Santos City Airport, accompanying her all the way to SM City General Santos, the venue of Marcos’ activities.
In her message, Mayor Pacquiao thanked Sen. Marcos for visiting the city and paying attention to the issues and concerns of the women sector, describing her as a “kind-hearted soul” for having a benevolent heart and compassion towards women.
Marcos, in response, expressed her gratitude to the mayor, commending her for doing a great job in making sure that she delivers the best of governance style for all her constituents.
She assured the mayor that she has her full support of her platforms of government, reminiscing that her father, the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., also helped in pushing for the cityhood of General Santos.
The senator also said that the elder Marcos pioneered the development of a housing project in the city through the “BLISS Housing” in Brgy. Fatima, as she pledged to help the city government attain its development goals in any way she can.
At a press conference, Senator Marcos also emphasized that she is supporting the revival of Nutribun program, which was very popular during the administration of President Marcos Sr.
Nutribun is a nutritious “bread product” used in supplementary feedings in elementary schools to fight malnutrition among children.
That is why “the proceeds of the film Martyr or Murderer goes to Nutribun, the program of my mother, <former First Lady Imelda R. Marcos> that I want to revive… after the COVID-19 pandemic we noticed that maraming malnourished dito, sa Mindanao area, BARMM area, and everywhere else, and it’s very important that we actually start a nutrition program again,” Sen. Marcos explained.
Today, that Nutribun is called “Enhanced Nutribun” which was launched in 2020 by the Department of Science and Technology’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) in response “to DSWD’s Memorandum Circular No. 12 series of 2020, or the Guidelines in the Implementation of the Supplementary Feeding Program During Community Quarantine or Other Similar Emergencies.”
The DOST-FNRI says the newly-labeled Enhanced Nutribun now “contains more micronutrients like iron and vitamin A. The texture is softer and weighs 160-165 grams per piece, which is easier for children to hold and bite. Each serving has 504 calories, 17.8 grams protein, 6.08 milligrams iron and 244 micrograms vitamin A.”
Aside from Mayor Pacquiao, Senator Marcos was also assisted by DA Assistant Secretary for Consumer Affairs and spokesperson Kristine Evangelista, and DSWD XII Regional Director Loreto Cabaya Jr. in the distribution of AICS to the beneficiaries.
Marcos also met with the young farmers of Soccsksargen who are the beneficiaries of the Young Farmers Challenge’s competitive financial grant, implemented by the DA and funded under the General Appropriations Act through the initiative of the senator. (CTA/PIA SarGen)
