BAGUIO CITY — President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Sunday led the government aid distribution in Cagayan province after it was hit by Typhoon Yinxing (Local name: Marce).
Mr. Marcos turned over P10 million worth of financial assistance from the Office of the President funds to each of the eight severely affected towns — Aparri, Buguey, Sanchez-Mira, Santa Teresita, Baggao, Gattaran, Gonzaga and Santa Ana.
Underscoring the government’s commitment, the President, together with Department Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rexlon T. Gatchalian, also handed out assistance packages to families in Buguey town.
DSWD distributed 1,500 food packs while the Department of Agriculture (DA) provided P866.33 million worth of aid to distraught farmers that included hybrid rice seeds, fertilizer discounts and poultry assistance with native chickens and ducks to help farmers restart agriculture activities.
The Cagayan provincial government also gave out 300 food packs with a buffer stock of 500 packs ready for further distribution, it said.
Typhoon Yinxing exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) after making two landfalls in Cagayan Province on Friday, bringing strong winds and heavy rain, and causing significant damage across Cagayan.
Cagayan is still under a Yellow Rainfall Warning due to Tropical Storm Toraji (Nika) that is expected to bring moderate to heavy rain in a few hours from now.
This added to the recovery challenges for communities still dealing with Typhoon Marce’s aftermath, said Mr. Gatchalian. — Artemis A. Dumlao
