At least P200,000 worth of aid allocated for Siargao towns through AHON convergence program
BURGOS, Surigao del Norte - More programs from national government agencies under the Aid and Humanitarian Operations Nationwide (AHON) Convergence Program have been allocated for the towns of Burgos and San Benito in Surigao del Norte. This is the second wave of assistance provided by the inter-agency initiative.
In a meeting here this morning, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar said that at least P200,000 worth of aid has been allotted for the said towns under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). (Note: pls check if tama yung pagkaedit)
“Dapat lang mapakita nato sa tibook nasud nga seryoso gyud ang gobyerno sa paghatud aning mga karajawan [We have to show to the whole country that this government is serious about delivering this assistance to you],” he said.
According to Secretary Andanar the said assistance was made possible through the help of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, who visited the island on Saturday, July 3, 2021 for the opening of the 125th Malasakit Center at the Siargao Island Medical Center, in Dapa town.
On top of this assistance, the Department of Agriculture also pledged at least P100,000 for every barangay as working capital for agri-entrepreneurs under its Enhanced KADIWA ni Ani at Kita Financial Grant Assistance Program for the towns of Burgos and San Benito.
“Hindi po natatapos sa pagtatanim ang agrikultura. Dapat po turuan natin ang ating mga kababayan na magnegosyo [Agriculture does not stop in planting. We have to teach our people to do business],” DA Assistant Secretary Kristine Evangelista said.
“Tulungan niyo po kami na maipamigay sa mga magsasaka at livestock raisers ninyo dito na may kakayahang palaguin itong mga ibibigay namin [Help us distribute this assistance to those farmers and livestock raisers who can roll over this assistance],” she added.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) also introduced their programs, including the Livelihood Seeding Program – Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (LSP-PBG), a livelihood seeding and entrepreneurship development program aimed at supporting micro-enterprises affected by calamities and emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Gi-awhag namo ang mga dagko ug gagmay nga mga negosyante nga mutake advantage gyud sa among mga programa [Note: translate please],” DTI Assistant Secretary Reveree Niño C. Contreras said.
The AHON Convergence Program was created through Executive Order 137 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on May 24, 2021.
San Benito Vice Mayor Wellybel Requirme received the assistance and extended the gratitude of the local government for the attention the national government has given to San Benito.
“Ngayon pa lang nangyari na ang Presidente at ang national
government bumababa dito sa aming bayan. Dati nararamdaman namin na hindi kami
nakikita sa mapa. Pero ngayon labis po ang aming kasiyahan dahil nakikita pala
kami ng national government sa pangunguna ni Presidente Duterte [This is the
first time it has happened that the President and the national government has
come to our town. Before, we felt like we were not being seen on the map. But
now, we are very happy because it turns out that the national government sees
us]," he said.
