PILAR, Surigao del Norte -- Another round of assistance to pandemic-affected families and small business owners in two Siargao Island towns, Pilar and General Luna, have been turned over under the Aid and Humanitarian Operations Nationwide (AHON) Convergence Program on Wednesday, June 30, 2021.

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Wednesday emphasized the unrelenting support of the national government to help communities whose daily living and livelihood have been interrupted by the pandemic, saying this is the administration's legacy of maintaining the public trust and confidence.

“Wala nakapugong ang pandemya para maipakita sa atong Duterte Administrasyon ang kakugi sa paghatud sa serbisyo publiko sa matag komunidad nga nanginahanglan nan tabang kuman [The pandemic did not hinder the Duterte administration to continue its efforts to deliver public service to communities who need our assistance],” he said.

"We have set a new standard of public service nga unta mahimong ehemplo sa mga musunod nga administrasyon. Kining AHON Convergence Program isa ka legacy that will maintain the people’s trust and confidence tungod kay nagpatunay lang kini nga ang inyong gobyerno namati sa inyong mga hangyo, ug mga gikinahanglan [We have set a new standard of public service that we look forward to being an example for the next administrations. This AHON Convergence Program is a legacy that will maintain the people’s trust and confidence because this proves that your government listens to your requests and your needs],” he added.

The AHON initiative is led by the Office of the Special Assistant to the President. Partner agencies during the event include the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Health (DOH), and the PCOO.

The DSWD turned over financial assistance under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Management (AICS) to a total of 200 beneficiaries, including farmers and fisherfolks, in the two towns.

"Ang gusto po ng Presidente sa inyo na masigurong mabibigyang-pansin ang lahat ng aspeto ng inyong buhay, hindi lang sa pinansyal kundi kasama din ang inyong pangkalusugan [What the President wants to ensure is for every aspect of your lives to be given attention, not just the financial, but your health as well]," DSWD Assistant Secretary Victor Neri said.

"Ito ang paalala na naririnig po kayo ng gobyerno, naiintindihan po kayo ng ating Pangulo [It is a reminder that the government listens to your needs, that the President understands you]," he added.

The DA also provided agri-assistance, including vegetable and hybrid rice seeds, a farm-to-market road project, and a rice processing center for the town of Pilar. DA Assistant Secretary Kristine Evangelista also pledged a total of P2.5million worth of agri-business assistance for each of the towns of Pilar and General Luna.

"Lahat ng programa ng Department Agriculture ay para sa inyong lahat. Lahat ng pera ay papakinabangan ninyo, dahil ang pamahalaang ito kasama si Pangulong Duterte at Senador Bong Go, bisyo po namin ang magserbisyo," Asec Evangelista said.

Pilar Mayor Maria Liza Resurreccion extended her thanks to the national government for not forgetting Pilar in the country's stride for recovery amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Thank you very much. We appreciate everything that the government is giving to us,” she said. (PCOO)