BATANGAS—Thousands of residents in Batangas benefitted from a caravan of government services on Friday, coinciding with the 67th birthday of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. This nationwide initiative, led by local and national government agencies, aimed to extend various forms of assistance to the citizenry.
According to the Philippines News Agency, the event in Batangas was spearheaded by Governor Hermilando Mandanas and Finance Secretary Ralph Recto at the provincial capitol compound. It featured participation from numerous national government agencies (NGAs) including the Government Service Insurance System, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Philippine Statistics Authority, Land Transportation Office, Philippine National Police, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), National Bureau of Investigation, and Department of Health.
During the event, DOLE-Batangas organized a Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) orientation for 1,196 beneficiaries, allocating a fund of PHP6.9 million. Additionally, a job fair was conducted offering 2,586 vacancies. TESDA-Batangas contributed by distributing training support funds to 200 scholars amounting to PHP371,860, and scholarship fund certificates to 495 individuals totaling PHP10,228,000.
Governor Mandanas highlighted the community spirit and the combined efforts of local and national entities in supporting Batangueños. “All cities and municipalities in Batangas, together with national line agencies in the province, we greet our President today as he shows his true concern, solidarity, and help to raise the dignity of every Filipino,” Mandanas expressed in Filipino.
Secretary Recto provided a broader perspective, noting that over 1.8 million individuals nationwide will benefit from over PHP10 billion worth of programs and financial assistance distributed on the day. He emphasized the cultural significance of sharing on one’s birthday, reflecting on the President’s initiative to distribute aid on his own birthday as a gift to the people.
Further, Recto outlined the substantial allocations for various social programs including the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, senior citizens’ Pension, Aid to Individuals in Crisis Situation, TUPAD, and Free College Education, with a total of over PHP500 billion dedicated to these initiatives. He also mentioned that the national government’s investment of over PHP1 trillion in infrastructure aims to bolster the economy and provide livelihoods for over 50 million Filipinos, with the overarching goal to significantly reduce poverty among Filipinos by 2028.
Additionally, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office distributed cash aid, including medical and burial assistance, amounting to PHP3.6 million and over PHP1 million, respectively.