President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday spearheaded the distribution of various government assistance, including livelihood and training support, to the residents and farmers in South Cotabato.
In his speech during the distribution of various government assistance at the Gymnasium and Cultural Center in Koronadal City, the President acknowledged the concerted effort of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) to facilitate said support programs that aim to improve the lives of the locals in the province.
“Ito pong ating ginagawa ngayon ay binibigyang-daan po ‘yung…dahan-dahan na tayong lumalayo, lumalabas sa ekonomiya ng pandemya. Ngunit ay mayroon pa rin sa atin, dito sa Pilipinas na medyo naiwanan. Kaya’t kailangan natin ituloy ang tulong na ibinibigay sa inyo,” Marcos said.
“Kaya po kami nandito upang tiyakin na lahat ng inyong pangangailangan ay mabibigyan ng pansin at magagawan natin ng paraan…Napakahirap na ng buhay. Sana naman, makapagbigay man lang kami ng kahit konting ginhawa sa inyo…” the chief executive added.
DSWD personnel distributed cash assistance and family food packs to around 2,000 identified beneficiaries while the DA also turned over machinery such as combine harvesters, precision rice seeders, and walk-behind transplanters to several farmers’ cooperatives and farmers’ associations.
Marcos said DOLE also distributed livelihood support under its Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) amounting to Php13,114,546 to 619 beneficiaries from various LGUs. Moreover, 1,000 beneficiaries also received assistance under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa ating Disadvantaged/Displace Workers (TUPAD) Program.
During the distribution, a total of 5,166 beneficiaries benefitted from the various government assistance.
Meanwhile, the DTI provided assistance worth Php112,050 each to nine beneficiaries under its Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa, and assistance worth Php4,581,170 to six beneficiaries under its Shared Service Facility (SSF) Project.
On the other hand, TESDA gave scholarships worth Php16,604,477 to 1,003 beneficiaries and tool kits to 250 beneficiaries under its TESDA Alay ay Liwanag at Asenso (TALA) program.
The President also led the launch of the South Cotabato province-wide Healthcare System and Referral Manual to help all residents, especially the indigents, get the proper healthcare in line with the Universal Health Care law.
“Simple lang naman ‘yung Universal Health Care. Sinasabi (na) lahat, basta’t mamamayang Pilipino ay kailangan suportado ang kanilang pagbili ng gamot, ang kanilang pagpapatingin sa doktor, ang mga ospital – ang pang-ospital nila, ang treatment nila, kailangan natin bigyan ng tulong,” the chief executive said in his speech.
“Kaya’t tamang-tama ‘yung ating bagong DOH Secretary ay pag-aaralan namin nang mabuti …para maging kasing-ganda ng nangyari ngayon dito sa SouthCot na maayos na at makikita na natin ang Universal Health Care,” he added. (PND)
