President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday led the distribution of 69 fully-equipped ambulances worth a total of PHP146.28 million at the Malacanang of the North.
At least seven of the ambulances were given to the towns of Carasi, Pinili, Nueva Era, Dumalneg, Sarrat, Vintar, and Batac City of Ilocos Norte and the rest will be handed to underserved areas in other provinces of Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan.
The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) donated the vehicles under its Medical Transport Vehicle Donation Program.
“Transporting patients during emergencies in far-flung villages will already be faster and more efficient,” said Carasi mayor Robella Gaspar, as she expressed gratitude to the PCSO and the President.
Over the past years, Ilocos Region has needed fully-equipped ambulances to replace old and dilapidated units in district hospitals, according to Dr. Rogelio Balbag, executive hospital director of Ilocos Norte.
While in the province attending various events commemorating the 107th birth anniversary of his father, the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., the Chief Executive also led the distribution of Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) to around 17,000 tricycle drivers, market vendors, fishermen, and other marginalized workers at the Laoag City Centennial Arena.
AKAP aims to provide financial assistance to low-income families and individuals to meet their needs.
Each beneficiary from the first district of Ilocos Norte received PHP5,000.
The President, in his message, said the aid distribution is a recognition by the national governments of what has happened in the Ilocos Norte in the past six months given the economic situations caused by the El Niño phenomenon, among others.
“Asahan ninyo na nandito ang inyong national government, nandito ang provincial government, nandiyan ang mga diputado na tumutulong lahat. Lahat ng ahensya ng pamahalaan, lahat, pati LGU (local government unit), ay pinagkaisa namin at sinabi naming kailangan ay magtulungan at matulungan natin ‘yung mga tao (Expect your national government, the provincial government, and all the deputized (agencies) helping in. We have unified all government agencies, including LGUs, to work together to help the people),” he said.
Before the event at the Centennial Arena, Marcos Jr. also led the distribution of agricultural, fishery, and veterinary assistance as well as AKAP to farmers, fishers, and livestock raisers in Batac City, Ilocos Norte.
The farm machinery units and agricultural inputs were funded by PHP99.88 million from the Department of Agriculture and PHP58.07 million from the Ilocos Norte provincial government.
During the AKAP distribution at the Centennial Arena, Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos thanked the President for his continued help to the province.
“Ang sabi ng Pangulo sa akin na kapag pumupunta siya dito sa Ilocos ay gumagaan ang kanyang utak at puso dahil lagi niyang nakikita ang pagmamahal ng mga Ilokano sa amin sa araw-araw at ang tiwala na inilagay niyo sa pamilya Marcos. Kaya taos-puso po kaming nagpapasalamat sa inyong lahat (The President told me that his mind and heart feels light whenever he visits Ilocos because daily he sees the love of the Ilocanos and the trust you give to the Marcos family. That’s why we thank you from the bottom of our hearts),” he said.
He added that the President is expected to stay in the province until Sept. 13 to celebrate his 67th birthday.
Meanwhile, the office of Senator Imee Marcos also facilitated a free dialysis clinic at the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital in Batac City during the day. (PNA)
