PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. visited the Davao Region on Thursday. He brought nearly P60 million in aid for farmers and fisherfolk affected by El Niño.
President Marcos held two events to give out the aid. He gave P10 million each to Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, and Davao Oriental in Tagum City.
He also gave P19.52 million to Davao del Sur and P10 million to Davao Occidental in Digos City.
"We are here to tell you that we will never abandon you. The government is always ready to help, especially in tough times," Marcos said in his speech in Tagum City.
El Niño has affected around 1,391 families or 4,173 people in 16 barangays in the Davao Region. Even though the losses are high, no state of calamity has been declared.
The region reported P49.58 million in agricultural losses. This affected 1,344 farmers and fisherfolk.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) gave P10,000 each to 10,000 people in each of the five Davao provinces. Rice assistance was also given by the Office of House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
President Marcos said the Department of Agriculture (DA) provided boats, harvesters, tractors, and tillers to farmers and fisherfolk in Davao del Norte.
They also gave seeds, fertilizers, and dairy goats.
The DA also distributed fishing gear and a climate-controlled swine facility in Davao de Oro. Davao Occidental received a mechanical corn husker-sheller.
A new Hybrid Rice Seeding Processing Facility was given to Davao del Sur. This facility includes a warehouse, dryers, and a combine harvester.
The DA also gave farm tractors, trucks, a seed cleaner, and corn husker-shellers to Davao del Sur.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) provided P2.26 million in aid to 292 beneficiaries of their livelihood program. They also gave P2.93 million to 621 TUPAD workers in Davao del Sur.
President Marcos mentioned that the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) gave P56,560 in allowances to 25 trainees in organic agriculture.
They also provided toolkits for raising hogs and small animals.
The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) gave P3.57 million worth of coconut seedlings and fertilizer to farmers in Davao del Sur.
