By Brian Campued
Following the onslaught of Typhoon Emong and the southwest monsoon in La Union last July, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday led the distribution of P8.1 million in cash assistance to beneficiaries in the calamity-hit province.
A total of 800 affected households in San Fernando City each received over P10,179 cash aid under the emergency cash transfer program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as well as family food packs (FFPs) and health kits.
Some 275 farmer-beneficiaries from San Fernando City, Bacnotan, and San Juan likewise received P3,000 in their fuel cash cards from the Department of Agriculture (DA) to help cushion the impact of the surge in oil prices on their livelihood.
La Union farmers were also given over P2.9 million worth of inorganic fertilizer inputs to help boost farm productivity and crop yield for priority commodities such as rice.
Under the Rice Banner Program of the DA, a total of P20,051,200 worth of fertilizers are allocated for the province, covering 14,215 hectares of farmland.
This is in line with the President’s directive to support the agricultural sector and ensure food security in the country.
“Nandito po kami para tiyakin na lahat ng mga assistance na binibigay natin na benepisyaryo ay umabot sa lahat ng mga naging biktima,” Marcos said during the distribution event in Speaker Pro Tempore Francis I. Ortega Convention Center in San Fernando City.
“Nandito lang po ang inyong pamahalaan upang tulungan kayo, hangga’t maaari, hangga’t kaya ng pamahalaan, nandito po kami upang tumulong,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive also provided financial assistance during his visit to the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) and San Agustin Elementary School in San Fernando City, La Union.
According to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, Marcos also checked on the condition of patients and assessed the implementation of the zero balance billing policy.
The program implemented in Department of Health (DOH) hospitals ensures that patients admitted to a ward or basic accommodation do not incur any out-of-pocket expenses upon discharge.
In San Agustin Elementary School, the President visited the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) Caravan where teaching and non-teaching personnel as well as the students received medical services, including check-ups, free medicines, laboratory tests, and diagnostic examinations.
He also led the distribution of food packs from the Department of Education (DepEd) to 1,000 teaching and non-teaching staff from San Fernando City who were affected by Typhoon Emong.
Implemented by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) in coordination with the DepEd, YAKAP brings health services closer to students, teachers, and school personnel through public school clinics designated as YAKAP providers.
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