Gov’t gives P80-M cash aid to Marce-hit towns in Cagayan

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Sunday led the distribution of over P80 million financial assistance to municipalities in Cagayan that were affected by Typhoon Marce.

The national government handed out P10 million worth of cash assistance each to the municipalities of Aparri, Buguey, Sanchez-Mira, Santa Teresita, Baggao, Gattaran, Gonzaga, and Santa Ana. The funds were received by their respective local chief executives.

In his speech during the aid distribution in Buguey, Cagayan, Marcos saidthe Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Department of Agriculture (DA) will continue to provide help to residents in need, as well as those livelihoods were affected by the tropical cyclone.

He added the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Education (DepEd) will also oversee the repairs of infrastructure and schools damaged by the storm.

“Hangga’t kailangan niyo kami rito, maiiiwan kami rito. Hangga’t kailangan, ‘yung mga na-displaced na nasira nga ang bahay, walang tirahan kahit kung nasa evacuation center man sila o nasa bahay ng kanilang kamag-anak o kaibigan, ay magprovide pa rin kami nitong relief goods, tuloy-tuloy pa rin hangga’t makabalik na sila sa kanilang bahay,” the President said.

(As long as you need us here, we will remain with you. As long as necessary, we will continue to provide these relief goods to those who have been displaced, those who are in evacuation centers, and even those who stayed in the house of their relatives or friends, until they are able to return home.)

“Nandiyan naman ang ating mga opisyal. Basta’t may pangangailangan pa kayo ipaabot ninyo sa amin,” he added.

(Our officials are there. Just let us know if you have any needs.)

During the event, 1,800 food packs were also distributed by the DSWD; 200 packs of 5 kilograms of rice and 20 boxes of sardines by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR); and 1,000 packs of 10 kilograms of rice by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).

The DA also offered over P866.3 million in various interventions to farmers composed of hybrid rice seeds, fertilizer discount, vegetable seeds, native chickens, and ducks.

One person reportedly died due to the effects of Marce, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Sunday.

The storm also affected 261,787 people or 76,622 families in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). —Giselle Ombay/RF, GMA Integrated News