GOV'T INTERVENTION. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (4th from left) turns over a replica of a check worth PHP12.36 million to Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla during the delivery of assistance to farmers, fishers, and families affected by El Niño, during a ceremony held in Dasmariñas City, Cavite on Thursday (July 11, 2024). Batangas province received PHP24 million, while Rizal got PHP14.5 million; Laguna, PHP17.4 million; and Quezon, PHP28.8 million. With the President are (from left) Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)
MANILA – The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has delivered nearly PHP28 billion in financial assistance and services to help improve the lives of Filipinos in the Calabarzon region, which covers the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon.
In his speech during the distribution of financial aid to farmers and fisherfolk in Cavite on Thursday, Marcos said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has distributed PHP11.23 billion for the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries, indigent senior citizens, and individuals in crisis situations.
He noted that about PHP11 million worth of livelihood assistance was extended to support 827 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through the Department of Trade and Industry's Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (DTI-PPG) program.
Marcos said the administration has released PHP9.9 billion for the Philippine Rural Development Plan to promote and develop modern and climate-smart agriculture and fishery sectors in the Southern Tagalog region.
For the education sector, PHP4.01 billion was allotted for the construction of 1,192 new classrooms and PHP239.34 million for the repair of 391 classrooms.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has extended PHP461.64 million for 21,553 scholars in the region.
For the health sector, the President said the government also disbursed PHP1.62 billion for the Health Facilities Enhancement Program, which covers 74 health facilities in the Southern Tagalog region.
The government likewise allocated PHP250 million to construct the Northern Tagalog Regional Hospital, a two-story, 200-bed medical facility in Rodriguez, Rizal.
“Ang mga inisyatibang ito ay sumasalamin sa ating pangako na mapabuti ang buhay ng mga mamamayan ng Calabarzon (These initiatives reflect our promise to improve the lives of Filipinos in Calabarzon),” Marcos said.
“Tandaan po natin na kung ang Cavite ay naging tahanan ng ating mga bayani at kalayaan noon, ito rin ang magiging duyan ng pag-asa at pag-unlad ng ating bansa sa hinaharap nating mga panahon (Let us remember that if Cavite was once the home of our heroes and our independence, it will serve as our nation's cradle of hope and progress in the years to come).”
Key infrastructure projects underway
During the event, Marcos highlighted big-ticket projects that would improve inter-regional connectivity in Calabarzon, among them the Light Rail Transit 1 (LRT-1) Cavite Extension project, the Cavite-Laguna Expressway-Cavite Segment (CALAX), and the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) Toll Road 4.
The PHP64.9 billion LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension project will add 11.7 km. of new railway line that will extend the LRT Line 1 from the Baclaran Terminal to the Niog Station in Bacoor, Cavite.
The project is expected to reduce travel time from Baclaran to Bacoor from 1 hour and 10 minutes to 25 minutes.
The PHP35.7 billion CALAX project, on the other hand, is a 44.58-km. expressway connecting the CAVITEX in Kawit, Cavite to the SLEX-Mamplasan interchange in Biñan, Laguna.
The Chief Executive also highlighted the Cavite Industrial Area Flood Risk Management Project, which is seen to mitigate flood risks in the Cavite Industrial Area.
Marcos handed over PHP26.87 million in financial assistance to the local governments of Cavite and Rizal to help farmers and fisherfolk affected by the El Niño phenomenon.
PHP12.36 million of the total amount was channeled to Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla and PHP14.51 million to Rizal Governor Nina Ricci Ynares.
More than 4,700 farmers and fisherfolk were affected by El Nino in the Southern Tagalog region.
Moreover, the Department of Agriculture (DA) distributed farm machinery and equipment, such as tractors, a combine harvester, multi-tillers, a rice thresher, hauling trucks, and pump and engine sets.
On the other hand, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) distributed motorized bancas and various fishing equipment.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) provided PHP2.17 million under its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program to support 418 beneficiaries.
It distributed PHP1.02 million to 50 recipients under its Integrated Livelihood Program.
Meanwhile, PHP28.20 million in scholarship referrals was given by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), along with starter toolkits worth PHP251,696 and training support funds worth PHP141,000.
The DTI will also provide assistance through its One Town One Product Next Gen Program, Coconut Farmers Industry Development Fund, and Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.
It will also provide aid through its Kapatid Mentor Me Program.
The DSWD will extend PHP10,000 in financial assistance to 12,000 beneficiaries in Cavite under its Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).
Those who participated in the event each received 5 kg. of rice from the Office of House of Representatives Speaker Martin Romualdez. (PNA)
