Marcos vows to sustain Mindanao devt

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday vowed to advance the development of Mindanao, calling it a crucial element in maintaining peace in the region.

"Because of your cooperation and unity, the peace will continue to grow, and our country will continue to progress. I am truly happy of the peace that you are experiencing now," Marcos said in his speech during the distribution of aid to farmers and fisherfolk affected by El Niño in Tawi-Tawi.

During the occasion, Marcos gave the provincial governments of Tawi-Tawi and Basilan P10 million each in assistance to alleviate the effects of El Niño.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the distribution of presidential assistance to farmers, fisherfolk and families at the DEPED Gymnasium, Brgy. Tubig-Mampallam, Municipality of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi province on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (KJ ROSALES/PPA POOL)

"My goal for going around the country is to personally see if the residents are receiving the assistance from the government and if this addresses the effects of El Niño," he said.

The President added that connectivity will further bolster progress in the region.

"To strengthen this, I am happy to tell you that we will continue these development projects like the improving growth corridors in Mindanao Road Sector Project that we started last year. This will address the need for transportation and the improvement of your livelihood, as well as in maintaining peace and order in your place," Marcos said.

Eighty members of the House of Representatives joined the President in the aid distribution, as well as representatives from government agencies that include the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and Department of Agriculture.

"With all the government agencies here, from local leaders to every government employee, we will make sure that help, programs of the government, and opportunities will reach our countrymen, especially those in far-flung places like Basilan, like Tawi-Tawi," Marcos said.

The President led a similar event in Maguindanao on the same day.