PBBM leads gov’t aid distribution in Davao City

President Ferdinand R. Marcos led the distribution of financial assistance and livelihood aid during his visit to Davao City on Thursday.

In his speech, the chief executive vowed to step up initiatives to transform the economy and create more jobs for Filipinos.

“Dahan-dahanin natin at gawin natin ang lahat para maging mas matibay ang hanapbuhay, maging mas matibay ang ekonomiya, maging mas maganda at mas malinaw ang ating kinabukasan dito sa Pilipinas,” said Marcos.

The President also called on Davaoeńos to get their booster shots as the government scaled up efforts to get more Filipinos inoculated. tayo’y dumadaan pa rin kahit na hindi na tayo gaanung nagkakasakit, kailangan pa rin talaga pa natin magpa-booster shot. Kaya’t nandiyan pa rin ang COVID,” said Marcos.

For his part, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte thanked Marcos for his commitment to supporting local government units as well as upholding the welfare and improving the quality of life of every Filipino.

Among the assistance provided were checks under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) Emergency Employment Program worth PHP183 million, which were given by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to eight beneficiary-barangays. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), meanwhile, distributed food packs and PHP5,000 each to 500 beneficiaries under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.

Checks amounting to PHP5.5 million each for 20 recipients were also awarded by the Department of Agriculture (DA) under the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) program, which aims to speed up the recovery of the hog sector from the African Swine Fever (ASF).

In addition, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) awarded certificates for livelihood kits to eight beneficiaries, inclusive of bangus deboning tools with entrepreneurial and skills training under the Negosyo sa Barangay Livelihood Seeding Program.

Aside from Mayor Sebastian Duterte, Special Assistant to the President Sec. Antonio Ernesto F. Lagdameo Jr. also joined Marcos in the cash aid distribution ceremonies.

Marcos earlier led the groundbreaking ceremony of the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) bridge project, which is expected to spur tourism and economic progress in Davao.

The ceremony signals the start of the construction of the PHP23-billion two-way, four-lane bridge.