By Pearl Gumapos
Some P200,000 in aid from national government agencies under the Aid and Humanitarian Operations Nationwide (AHON) Convergence Program has been allocated to the towns of Burgos and San Benito in Surigao del Norte, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar said in a meeting on Sunday (July 4).
This is the second wave of assistance provided by the inter-agency initiative under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
“We have to show to the whole country that this government is serious about delivering this assistance to you,” Andanar said.
He explained that the assistance was made possible through the help of Senator Bong Go, who visited the island on Saturday (July 3) for the opening of the 125th Malasakit Center at Siargao Island Medical Center in Dapa town.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) also pledged at least P100,000 for every barangay as working capital for agri-entrepreneurs under its Enhanced KADIWA ni Ani and Kita Financial Grant Assistance Program for the towns of Burgos and San Benito.
“Hindi po natatapos sa pagtatanim ang agrikultura. Dapat po turuan natin ang ating mga kababayan na mag-negosyo,” DA Assistant Secretary Kristine Evangelista said.
“Tulungan niyo po kami na maipamigay sa mga magsasaka at livestock raisers ninyo dito na may kakayahang palaguin itong mga ibibigay namin,” she added.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has also introduced their programs, including the Livelihood Seeding Program-Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (LSP-PBG), a livelihood seeding and entrepreneurship development program which aims to support micro-enterprises affected by calamities and emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic.
The AHON Convergence Program was created through Executive Order No. 137 that was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on May 24, 2021. (PCOO) – jlo
