CABIAO, Nueva Ecija — Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday led the distribution of the Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) to victims of Typhoon Karding.
AICS is a program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development which gives financial assistance to the marginalised or disadvantaged.
The OVP has partnered with DSWD for the expansion of social services for individuals in crisis situations.
Duterte, who was personally in this town for the assistance payout, expressed her sympathies to the people affected by the typhoon last month.
“Ang amin pong opisina — ang opisina ng Vice President ay nakikidalamhati po sa inyong lahat na nabiktima ng bagyo,” Duterte said.
She also underscored the importance of disaster preparedness in each household as typhoons and other natural calamities are inevitable in the country.
“Alam nyo po sa ating bansa, hindi na po ito bago at hindi na po ito mawawala dahil ang atin pong bansa ay nasa lugar na dinadaanan talaga ng bagyo taon-taon. Kaya napakahalaga na maging resilient o handa tayo sa anumang sakuna,” she said.
DSWD Sec. Erwin Tulfo, Gov. Aurelio “Oyie” Umali, Mayor Ramil Rivera, and DSWD Regional Director Jonathan Dirain were also with Duterte during the ceremonial turn-over of cash assistance.
Tulfo said the aid was intended for residents whose homes were damaged by the typhoon.
Jovita Castro, 71, who was among the recipients of the program, thanked the government for giving them financial support.
“Nagpapasalamat ako kay Vice President. Maraming salamat sa kanila dahil sa ibinigay na tulong nila sa amin,” Castro said.
Duterte, meanwhile, urged farmers to secure insurance for their crops.
“Napakahalaga po na tayo na nasa agricultural sector, importante po na ma-insure natin o bumili tayo ng crop insurance para sa ating mga pananim para kapag meron pong dumadaan na natural calamity ay makakolekta po tayo mula sa insurance ng ating mga pananim,” she encouraged.
The OVP-led financial distribution was also done in the municipalities of Jaen and San Antonio. Each town has 1,000 recipients, with each beneficiary receiving P5,000.
OVP MEDIA