Marcos Distributes P3.19-B in Aid to 82 Provinces on 67th Birthday
MARCOS – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. distributed P3.19 billion in aid to 82 provinces on his 67th birthday.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. gave 82 provinces services and financial support totaling over P3.19 billion on Friday in celebration of his 67th birthday. This included free tertiary hospital care in state-run facilities.
In an interview with reporters in Guimba, Nueva Ecija, Marcos stated that he wished to see improvements in the agricultural sector and the standard of living for farmers, fisherman, and cattle farmers.
The President was in Nueva Ecija with his two sons, Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, the Representative from Ilocos Norte and Senior Deputy Majority Leader of the House, and Joseph Simon Marcos.
The first lady, Liza Araneta-Marcos, referred to her husband as the “sweetest and kindest soul I’ve ever known” in an emotional Facebook and Instagram statement.
“I’m so proud of everything you’ve accomplished, and through it all, you’ve remained the same tender-hearted, compassionate person who first captured my heart. I love you to the moon and back, and I always will,” the First Lady said.
Friday afternoon at the Malacañang grounds, the public relished food and drinks as part of the “Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat” event.
According to a statement from the Presidential Communications Office, P3.19 billion in financial aid and services will be given to the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Health, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda).
Out of this amount, P328 million was allocated by the Department of Health (DOH) to 22 government tertiary hospitals across the country to cover patients’ medical expenses in celebration of the President’s birthday.
“Our goal is to help our countrymen with their medical needs. So for this day, we will pay for all expenses of all patients in all public level 3 hospitals in the country, like the Dr. Paulino Garcia Memorial Hospital here,” Mr. Marcos said in his speech in Guimba.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) allocated P1.38 billion in aid, directing P1.12 billion to the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers program, P191.83 million to the Integrated Livelihood Program, P53.48 million to the Government Internship Program, and P14.69 million to the Special Program for Employment of Students.
Meanwhile, TESDA offered 7,416 slots for enrollment in Technical and Vocational Education and Training, along with P46.17 million in training assistance grants benefiting 12,038 individuals.
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