Limay, BATAAN, March 31, 2023 - President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the distribution of government aid in Limay, Bataan earlier today, March 31, 2023.

In his message during the awarding, Marcos said that he personally visits the province to make sure that the government provides what Filipinos need. 

“Nandito tayo para tiyakin na maganda ang assistance na binibigay ng pamahalaan. Ang ibibigay namin sa inyo ay walang humpay na trabaho,” he said. 

Among the assistance awarded are 10 'Nego-Karts' under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) worth P20,500 each. 

Merriam Viscayno, one of the recipients of the livelihood aid, is a root crop and vegetable vendor together with other indigenous people in Limay, Bataan. She and her family had to climb up the mountain to plant and harvest their crops and sell them at the market.

In an interview, she expressed her gratitude to the government, especially to DOLE, for the Nego-Kart that she received. 

“Kahit papano, pwede ko na ilako sa kaling di maubos ang paninda ko sa palengke. Mabebenta yun at di masasayang,” Merriam explained.

A total of P920 M was also released to 200 beneficiaries of Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers (TUPAD), and more than P358,000 was given to 91 student-beneficiaries of Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES).

Aside from DOLE, the Department of Agriculture (DA) also turned over fiberglass boats, marine engines, fish paraphernalia, post-harvest equipment, and fish seeds to the beneficiaries. The projects have a total cost of P5,063,766.

For its part, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) paid out P5,000 each to 934 beneficiaries of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) while the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) distributed toolkits to five graduates of its Special Training for Employment Scholarship Program.

Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma, Undersecretary Benjo Santos M. Benavidez, Undersecretary Felipe Egargo, Jr., Assistant Secretary Lennard Serrano, DOLE-III Regional Director Geraldine Panlilio, Assistant Regional Director Alejandro Inza Cruz and DOLE Bataan head Leilani Reynoso were also present during the event. ##

END/ A. Cunanan