MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday led the distribution of cash assistance to fishermen hit by the recent flash floods and heavy rainfall in the Misamis provinces.
The President distributed envelopes each with P5,000 under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program at the Gingoog City Hall in Gingoog, Misamis Oriental.
“Ako ay nandito upang tingnan kung ano ba talaga ang nangyari at kung ano ‘yung mga kailangang gawin. At tiyakin na ‘yung mga nawala sa tahanan, mga evacuees ay nasa inyo lahat ng inyong pangangailangan,” the President said in a speech.
“Kaya’t tinitiyak namin na lahat kayo na hindi pa makauwi sa inyong mga tahanan at nandito pa sa mga evacuation center ay nasusuportahan, naaalagaan, mayroon kayong kinakain, mayroon kayong tinutulugan,” the President pointed out.
President Marcos also assured them that the government would help them rebuild their houses after widespread destruction to homes and infrastructure was reported in the province.
“Sa lalong madaling panahon gagawin namin ‘yung mga partially damaged. Kasi ‘pag tinitingnan namin ‘yung mga report, mayroon ‘yan how many households, ilang household ang sira. Mayroon ‘yung completely damaged, mayroon naman ‘yung partially damaged. Iyong mga partially damaged ‘pag puwede nang balikan eh magdadala rin kami ng rebuilding material para naman maayos ninyo ‘yung mga bahay,” the President told residents.
Fisherfolk and farmers adversely affected by the crisis can already avail of the government’s wide range of assistance, including the Sure Aide Program and the Rice Farmer Financial Assistance (RAFA), both under the DA, which is headed by the chief executive.
Other assistance available are the Emergency Shelter Assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the ‘Bangka Ko, Gawa Ko’ Program of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).
During the briefing, the local government of Gingoog reported that the number of families has risen to 18,452.
Forty-five out of 59 barangays have been affected, with villagers residing in the coastal areas incurring the most damage. (OPS)
