Several national government agencies turned over various forms of assistance to beneficiaries in Negros Occidental during the “Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Tapat Para sa Lahat” at the Capitol Park and Lagoon on Monday, Sept. 14.
The activity is part of the simultaneous nationwide distribution of comprehensive government aid to mark the 69th birthday of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“In celebration of President Bongbong Marcos’s birthday, we are bringing government services closer to our fellow citizens across various cities and provinces. Here in Negros Occidental, the assistance amounts to at least P261 million,” Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Secretary Jose Francisco Benitez, the designated Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security-Negros Island Region (NIR), said in his keynote message.
During the event, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) turned over P25 million in assistance to beneficiaries of Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers, Special Program for Employment of Students, and DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program.
Among the recipients were 17 local associations/cooperatives in Bago City, which received P10 million in livelihood fund.
The Department of Trade and Industry released total financial assistance of P2.5 million to four grantees of the agency’s Small Business Program, while the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration turned over livelihood, medical, and welfare assistance programs totaling P2.5 million.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) gave an operation and maintenance subsidy of P1.7 million to 14 irrigators’ associations.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) distributed 15 fiberglass reinforced plastic boats under the typhoon rehabilitation project worth P1.05 million, as well as 10 units of 12HP marine engines at P150,000.
The municipalities of Calatrava, Moises Padilla and La Castellana availed of P1.9 million assistance under the Special Area for Agricultural Development Livelihood Project.
The salt evaporating set-up in Pulupandan town was allocated P600,000 from the Development of Salt Industry Program.
Beneficiaries of the Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolks received P390,000.
Under the TESDA-NIR, 1,392 beneficiaries received an allowance worth P3.5 million, while 1,114 beneficiaries were provided toolkits amounting to P9.4 million.
Certificates of commitment were also awarded to 50 TESDA scholars.
The Department of Health offered free health assessments, general and dental consultations, immunization services, and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. Yaman ng Kalusugan registration.
Other activities include the Kadiwa ng Pangulo market with eight exhibitors at Ayala Malls, and the sale of P20 per kilogram of rice.
The DA-NIR sold 200 sacks, while the Federation of Irrigators’ Association of Central Negros-Bago River Irrigation System under the National Irrigation Administration disposed of 50 sacks during the activity.
Identified local government units received certificates as recipients of eating utensils under the 2026 Supplementary Feeding Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. | PNA
