El Niño-hit communities in Mindanao assured of continuous gov’t aid

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the turnover of cash assistance to El Niño-hit communities in Region 10 on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Photo from RTV Malacañang.

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed to continue extending aid to Mindanao communities affected by the El Niño phenomenon.

The President led the turnover of different government assistance to El Niño-hit communities in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, and Misamis Occidental on Thursday.

“Asahan po ninyo ang patuloy naming pag-iikot sa Mindanao at sa iba’t-ibang bahagi ng bansa upang masiguro na maihahatid namin ang tulong at serbisyo sa taumbayan. Narito po ang inyong pamahalaan sa lahat ng oras. Sa panahon ng tagtuyot at paparating na tag-ulan, handa po kaming umagapay sa inyong lahat,” said Marcos in his speech at the Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology.

(You can expect that we will continue going around Mindanao and other parts of the country to ensure we provide help and service to the people. The government is here at all times. During the dry and rainy seasons, we are ready to be there with you all.)

READ: Marcos orders ‘whole-of-gov’t’ response to El Niño, La Niña

According to a statement from the Palace, beneficiaries of the government’s El Niño aid package include farmers, fisherfolk, and their families.

READ: DA: Agriculture damage due to El Niño hits P6.3 billion

The city government of Iligan received P10.5 million, while the provincial governments of Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental got P13.9 million and P24.3 million, respectively, from the national government.

The Palace statement added that selected beneficiaries per area received P10,000 in cash aid.