Over 6,000 beneficiaries receive gov’t aid, services during Handog ng Pangulo in Camarines Norte
DAET, Camarines Norte --- More than 6,000 beneficiaries received government aid and services during the Handog ng Pangulo caravan at the University of Camarines Norte on Sept. 14, celebrating President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s birthday.
“On behalf of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., I extend his heartfelt greetings and gratitude to all of you. Although the past few months have been challenging due to rising fuel prices, heavy rainfall, and flooding, we Filipinos always come together to overcome adversity, supporting one another in difficult times,” said Undersecretary Georgina Ann Hernandez-Yang of the Office of the Executive Secretary.
Yang said that the celebration of the President’s birthday included providing government services directly to various cities and provinces.
She added that the nationwide Handog ng Pangulo aimed to enable local and national government agencies to deliver healthcare services, employment and livelihood assistance, opportunities for students and workers, support for farmers, fisherfolk, and small business owners, as well as programs that address the needs of families and communities.
“President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wanted his birthday celebration to focus on delivering government projects and public services directly to the people,” said Melody Relucio, Department of the Interior and Local Government director for Camarines Norte.
“I want to express my gratitude to all the agencies because the assistance brought by Handog ng Pangulo is a huge help to the beneficiaries of our province,” said Gov. Ricarte Padilla.
He said that the national government has not forgotten Camarines Norte, noting that the celebration proves its support is genuinely felt.
The governor requested support for President Marcos Jr., whose sincerity he noted, and urged everyone to offer help, assistance, and prayers over the President’s remaining two years in office to ensure the administration’s success.
“The success of the President is the success of every Filipino,” he said.
During the event, the Department of Agriculture (DA) sold 100 sacks of rice available at P20 per kilo (Benteng Bigas) assisted by the National Food Authority and Food Terminal Inc. The DA also extended cash assistance under the Presidential Assistance for Farmers and Fisherfolk Program to 148 farmers in Daet town.
“Happy Birthday, PBBM, ‘Idol po kita’ (You are my idol). Thank you for the P20-per-kilo rice; this is a tremendous help to me, especially since I wasn’t able to receive assistance from your other cash programs,” said Yolanda Austria, a senior citizen from Barangay Pasig, Daet, Camarines Norte.
The National Irrigation Administration-Camarines Norte Irrigation Management Office inaugurated five units of Solar-Powered Irrigation Projects (SPIPs) worth some P45 million. Local farmers formally received ownership of these modern agricultural systems, which are expected to boost crop production through sustainable energy.
Jocelyn Vega was one of the local landowners who donated a portion of her land in Barangay Pinagwarasan, Basud. The SPIP Pinagwarasan 2 facility is designed to irrigate 15 hectares of agricultural land and will benefit 33 farmers.
“We are very grateful because we no longer have to rely solely on rainfall; previously, we couldn’t plant crops during the dry season,” Vega said.
The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) featured agricultural and fishery products at the KADIWA ng Pangulo fair, alongside local goods featured under the Department of Trade and Industry’s One Town, One Product program.
The Department of Agrarian Reform formally turned over a P680,000 ‘Kakanin Processing Facility’ to the Napilihan Agricultural Cooperative, while the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, along with OPAg, distributed fingerlings to local fisherfolk.
The DTI also facilitated loan releases, business registrations, and advisory counseling, while the Department of Migrant Workers Region 5 extended livelihood and financial assistance to beneficiaries.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office distributed tree seedlings alongside information, education, and communication (IEC) materials on land titling and other environmental programs.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) conducted a jobs fair and payouts for 20 beneficiaries of the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program, 25 under the Government Internship Program, and 87 under the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES).
A total of P617,977.75 in aid was provided to the beneficiaries.
JC Jeremi Ropeta, a fourth-year college student at Mabini Colleges, was one of the 87 recipients who received P6,400 under DOLE’s SPES program.
“This is a huge help for my tuition and other expenses in college, especially since my father earns a modest income as a track helper,” he said.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development distributed P2,000 each under the second tranche of the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) to 1,992 beneficiaries, while the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration provided Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay, the Education and Livelihood Assistance Program, and medical and bereavement assistance to 10 beneficiaries.
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority provided scholarship allowances, vouchers, and starter toolkits to 357 beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Higher Education released Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education grants and scholarships to 30 beneficiaries, and the Department of Science and Technology provided applications for scholarships.
Free medical, dental check-ups and medicines were the services provided by the Department of Health and the Provincial Health Office.
The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. joined a nationwide activation program dubbed “YAKAP na Handog sa Pangulo,” which was a community-based event held at the venue, while the school-based event was simultaneously held at Daet Integrated School.
The Office of the Provincial Veterinarian provided vaccinations, vitamins, and deworming for animals and pets.
Other services were provided by the Philippine Statistics Authority for National ID registration, and the Department of Information and Communications Technology for social media training and eGovPH assistance.
The National Bureau of Investigation provided free clearance processing for 200 individuals. Additionally, the Parole and Probation Administration, along with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, offered free legal assistance.
Meanwhile, the Camarines Norte Police Provincial Office contributed by providing police clearances, help desk support, and hot meals through its Project BUSOG initiative.
In addition, the University of Camarines Norte facilitated on-site college admission applications for prospective students. (Reynaldo Villamonte Jr. contributed to this story/PIABicol/Camarines Norte)
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