By Paula Bien Valero
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. vowed on Thursday to transform Butuan City into the center of trade, industry and governance in the Caraga region.
The President personally distributed PhP46.84 million, from the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families in Butuan City.
“Katulad ninyo, nagsisikap ang pamahalaan upang lalo pang maging matatag ang Butuan bilang sentro ng kalakalan, industriya, at pamamahala dito sa Caraga,” President Marcos said during the distribution of financial assistance.
“[Naghandog] din [ang] ating pamahalaan ng karagdagang binhi at makinarya sa pagsasaka upang mapabuti ang inyong ani at mapagaan ang inyong hanapbuhay sa araw-araw. Patuloy din po [ang aming pagpapatupad ng] National Rice Program, ang National Corn Program, at saka yung High-Value Crops Development Program sa iba’t ibang sulok ng bansa, kabilang na ang inyong rehiyon,” he said.
Butuan City was heavily affected during the El Nino calamity on June 13, 2024. The calamity affected the livelihood of around 3,694 farmers and fisherfolk and the losses amounting to Php 699.54 million.
Cash assistance amounting to PhP10,000 were distributed to 9,195 beneficiaries in Surigao Del Sur and 4,650 beneficiaries in Agusan Del Norte and Butuan City. All of them received five kilos of rice from the office of House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Caraga Region had agricultural interventions from January 2023 till May 2024. Among these agricultural interventions are the National Rice Program which had an allocation of PhP774.95 million, National Corn Program with an allocation of PhP220.5 million, and High-Value Crops Development Program with an allocation of PhP68.93 million.
For the transformation of the region, the government distributed a total of PhP165.31 million for the Intensified Building-Up of Infrastructure and Logistics for Development (I-BUILD) Project and PhP16.52 million for the Investment in Rural Enterprises and Agriculture and Fisheries Productivity (I-REAP) Project under the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP).
The President also visited Surigao Del Sur wherein he distributed farm machinery, equipment and credit assistance. Other programs were also extended for assistance. Assistance from the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP), Tulong Panghanap-buhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) and Government Internship Program (GIP) started.
Allowance for Technical Education And Skills Development Authority (TESDA) beneficiaries and livelihood starter tool kits were also distributed by President Marcos during the event.
Quality education, accessible health system
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed on Thursday to push for quality education and accessible healthcare service in the Caraga region.
The President said the government is determined to boost education and health service in the region.
“Maaasahan din ninyo ang patuloy na pagsulong namin ng edukasyon at kalusugan dito sa Caraga,” President Marcos said in his speech during the distribution of aid to farmers and fisherfolk in Surigao del Sur.
President Marcos said the government has disbursed PhP1.7 billion for the construction of new classrooms and around PhP453 million for the repair of old classrooms.
The Marcos administration aims to construct 544 new classrooms in Caraga and repair around 704 old classrooms across the region.
President Marcos added the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has disbursed around PhP1.6 billion for various programs of the commission with a total of 176,634 scholar beneficiaries of the region.
There are around 284 beneficiaries enrolled under the CHED Scholarship Program for Coconut farmers and their families (CoScho), extending educational opportunities to qualified and deserving coconut farmers and their families registered under the National Coconut Farmers Registry System (NCFRS).
On the other hand, the Marcos administration has disbursed a total of PhP846.70 million for the Health Facilities Enhancement Program, which covers 104 health facilities through the procurement of medical equipment, strengthen primary care, and reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in the region. (with reports from PND)
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