Caraga gets P158M worth of El Niño aid

President Marcos Jr. yesterday led the distribution of more than P158.15 million worth of assistance to local government units (LGUs) and individuals in the Caraga region affected by the El Niño weather phenomenon.

The President, during his visit to Butuan City, handed a check for P50 million to Agusan del Sur, P46.84 million to Butuan City, P28.26 million to Agusan del Norte, P12.48 million to Surigao del Sur, P10.57 million to Surigao del Norte, and P10 million to Dinagat Islands.

In separate ceremonies in Tandang and Butuan cities, Marcos also handed out P10,000 cash assistance each to 9,195 beneficiaries in Surigao del Sur, and 4,650 beneficiaries in Agusan del Norte and Butuan City.

Speaker Martin Romualdez gave attendees during the separate event five-kilos of rice each.

The President also distributed farm machineries, equipment and credit assistance in both events, while agencies such as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) provided assistance under its Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), Tulong Panghanap-buhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) and Government Internship Program (GIP); the Technical Education And Skills Development Authority (TESDA) distributed training allowance and livelihood starter tool kits; and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) had cash payouts under its programs such as Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita (AKAP) program.

During his visit to Butuan City, Marcos reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to support farmers and fisherfolk affected by the El Niño, as he acknowledged that the city had been under a state of calamity since June 13, after the severe dry spell affected 3,694 farmers and fisherfolk and caused P699.54 million worth of agricultural losses.

He emphasized the importance of helping the farmers and fisherfolks recover from El Niño, saying that this would be a step towards the country’s recovery and achievement of a bountiful progressive “Bagong Pilipinas”.

“Makakaasa po kayo na magiging kaagapay ninyo ang administrasyong ito upang mabigyan ng katuparan ang inyong mga mithiin at mapaunlad pang lalo ang inyong mga kabuhayan (You can be sure that this administration will be your