PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. cited as ‘well-known’ the Bohol tourism come-ons in his speech he delivered during his visit in Bohol.
He made special mention the Chocolate Hills, Asin Tibuok of Alburquerque, Calamay of Jagna, white sand beaches and dive sites are some of the well-known attractions for Bohol tourism.
These he recognized since Bohol is being visited by both domestic and foreign tourists. And he added that tourism and agriculture are two main economic drivers that helped develop the province into one of the sought-after tourist destinations in the country.
The President said that his visit here is to bring what he called “ayuda” or aid and various presidential assistance primarily to the farmers, fisherfolk and their families under the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk and Families (PAFFF).
The aid was distributed in a bid to help farmers and fisherfolks and communities recover from the onslaught of the El Niño crisis in Central Visayas, including Cebu province, whose farmers and fisherfolks are present to also receive their share of the assistance.
The President hands over agri-fishery assistance packages, including farm machineries, fishing equipment, seeds and fertilizers as part of his visit and his commitment “to boost the agriculture sector amid challenges posed by the crisis.”
Aside from these aids to the farmers and fishermen and families, the President thru the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also gave out cash assistance to the tune of P10,000 each to 20 select beneficiaries from Bohol and Cebu.
The beneficiaries also received from Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) cash assistance in the amount of PhP10,000 each to 10,000 farmers and fisherfolk under its Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita (AKAP) Program.
The provinces of Bohol and Cebu were recipients of the cash windfall from the presidential visit at P50 million apiece, received by Acting Gov. Victor Balite for Bohol and Gov. Gwen Garcia of Cebu, who was present during the said visit.
The beneficiaries also received 5-kilo packed rice courtesy of Office of House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez aside from other agencies’ assistance, like the DTI’s livelihood kits.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) are among the agencies that also extended other forms of assistance to identified beneficiaries and attendees of the event.
The President stressed the whole-of-government-approach that all agencies or departments under his office he brought here to help the people cope with the problems they’re facing.
Coordination between the national government and the local governments must be done and important, the President said in his address during the program held at the Pres. Carlos P. Garcia complex in his visit in Tagbilaran City, June 28, 2024.
In his short welcome speech, Acting Gov. Victor A. Balite expressed gratitude to the President for his visit here.
In their facebook posts, Congresswomen Vanessa C. Aumentado and Kristine Alexie B. Tutor extended their thanks to the President for the “ayuda” to the beneficiaries.
They also thanked House Speaker Martin Romualdez for he continued giving of assistance to Bohol. The same message of thanks DILG Sec Benhur Abalos, DSWD Sec Rex Gatchalian, DA Sec Kiko Laurel & Usec Terrence Calatrava.
Aside from Aumentado and Tutor, Congressman Edgardo M. Chatto, City Mayor Jane Yap, municipal mayors, vice-mayors and other officials were in attendance to the presidential visit. (rvo)
