President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday led the distribution of financial aid and livelihood assistance in Masbate, one of the provinces hardest hit by Typhoon Opong.
During the event at Nursery Elementary School, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided P10,000 each to 600 families through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Region V also released two checks totaling over P34.8 million to the provincial government of Masbate. The funds will support the agency’s Livelihood Assistance and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers programs, benefiting 6,455 individuals in 11 municipalities.
Aside from these, Marcos also oversaw the distribution of family food packs, hygiene kits, malongs, 10-meter laminated sacks, and water filtration kits from the DSWD.
In addition, two Starlink units were turned over to Nursery Elementary School to provide internet connectivity for the evacuees.
As of Tuesday, the school shelters 41 families or 121 individuals, displaced by Typhoon Opong.
In his speech, Marcos told the typhoon victims that the government will provide continuous assistance to help them return to their normal lives.
‘Do not worry, the government’s support will continue for as long as you are in need,’ the President said in Filipino.
‘Even if it takes us a little longer because your homes are not yet repaired, we are already providing support,’ he added.
Aside from the distribution of aid, Marcos also visited Masbate Provincial Hospital to personally inspect its damaged facilities and turned over a facsimile check worth P3 million from the Department of Health to the provincial government for repair works.