Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday, (September 27) led the ceremonial distribution of aid to residents affected by recent typhoons in Cagayan province, reaffirming the government’s commitment to deliver swift and compassionate assistance to disaster-hit communities.
The Chief Executive and Secretary Gatchalian personally handed the cash aid amounting to PhP10,000 each to the 10 select families from the Municipality of Gonzaga.
Through the DSWD, affected residents also received family food packs (FFPs).
“Lahat po ito [referring to boxes of FFPs], nakikita nyo po, DSWD po ito. Ibibigay para doon sa mga displaced, yung mga kailangan umalis sa bahay at i-evacuate, galing naman po sa DSWD yan,” President Marcos said in his speech.
President Marcos also reiterated that Php36 billion in flood control budget for 2026 will be reallocated for the DSWD’s major social protections programs.
“Ang tatlumput anim na bilyong piso ay magiging karagdagang pondo sa DSWD para sa Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), sa Disability Inclusive Social Protection of Children, at Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP),” the President told the Cagayano beneficiaries.
During the program, President Marcos also witnessed the ceremonial turnover of farm inputs, including seedlings and fertilizers, from the Department of Agriculture (DA) led by Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
The Cagayan distribution forms part of the administration’s continuing relief and recovery operations for typhoon-affected areas, with President Marcos reiterating the importance of delivering government aid swiftly and compassionately. (YADP)
