MANILA – A total of 4, 000 farmers and fisherfolk affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine in Batangas province on October 24 received financial aid on Monday, with no less than President Ferdinand R. Marcos leading the distribution.
Beneficiaries from Talisay, Laurel and Agoncillo, the most affected towns, each received PHP 10, 000 in cash under the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), according to Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian.
“Batid namin na hindi madaling ma-ibsan ang sakit na inyong pinagdadaanan ngunit umaasa kami na sa suportang handog ngayon, kayo ay makapagsimula muli (We know that it is not easy to ease the pain you are going through but we hope that with the support offered today, you can start again),” President Marcos said in his speech.
President Marcos assured that the government will continue to help the victims recover from the devastating impact of the storm.
Among the assistance was PHP 10 million from the Office of the President to each of the local government units of Talisay, Agoncillo, Lemery, Cuenca, Balete and Laurel.
The President reiterated his directives to all the government agencies on strengthening disaster management to prevent the loss of life due to calamities.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, of which the DSWD is the vice chair for Disaster Response, was tasked to check its disaster response strategies to ensure immediate assistance to affected communities.
“Layunin natin na hindi na ma-ulit ang pagkawala ng buhay dahil sa kalamidad (Our goal is to prevent the loss of life due to calamities),” the President said.
Based on the Disaster Response Operations Management, Information, and Communication report of the DSWD Monday, a total of 241, 516 families or 1, 024, 780 individuals were affected by Kristine.
Other Cabinet officials who accompanied Marcos were Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Lagdameo Jr., Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla, Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan, Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. and Human Settlements Secretary Jerry Acuzar. (PNA)