By Brian Campued
Continuing the administration’s efforts to deliver aid to communities hit by calamities, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. flew to Cagayan to lead the distribution of vital relief and recovery assistance to the residents and farmers affected by the recent Super Typhoon Nando.
“Nandito po kami upang mabigyan ng tulong ang ating mga magsasaka na tinamaan ng Bagyong Nando. At nakita naman natin dito sa Cagayan ang isa sa—ang tinamaan nang malakas,” Marcos said in a speech at the Gonzaga People’s Gymnasium in Gonzaga, Cagayan on Saturday.
“Marami po tayong naging biktima at marami po tayong kailangan na tulungan dahil po ito nga ay wala tayong magagawa nagbabago talaga ang panahon,” he added.
A total of 2,533 beneficiaries from Gonzaga and Sta. Ana towns each received P10,000, a family food pack (FFP), and non-food items from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) led by Sec. Rex Gatchalian.
The DSWD also served hot meals and clean drinking water to the displaced residents.
Joined by Agriculture Sec. Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Marcos Jr. turned over seeds, fertilizers, and other farm inputs from the Department of Agriculture (D.A.) to select beneficiaries. 10 select recipients likewise received P7,000 under the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance.
Marcos also visited the Alfonso Ponce Enrile Memorial District Hospital (APEMDH) in Gonzaga to engage with patients and healthcare workers and assess the implementation of the zero balance billing program in the hospital.
This is to ensure that patients admitted to wards or basic accommodations do not incur any out-of-pocket expenses for their hospitalization.
According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), APEMDH is a Level 1 district hospital with 25-bed capacity, serving the municipalities of Gonzaga, Sta. Ana, Sta. Teresita, and portions of Buguey.
Capping off his Cagayan visit, the President witnessed the implementation of the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) Caravan at Sta. Ana Fishery National High School and assessed the extent of Super Typhoon Nando’s damage to the area.
Aside from giving free medical and dental check-ups, psychological first aid, medicines, as well as laboratory and diagnostic tests, the government also distributed emergency kits to 100 students and FFPs to 100 teaching and non-teaching staff.
The Chief Executive earlier announced that portions of the P255.5 billion budget initially allotted for flood control projects in 2026 will be realigned to other agencies to support programs such as agriculture, healthcare, irrigation, and education.
-jpv
