President Marcos, Jr. visits Iligan City for PAFFF distribution to beneficiaries

 

Pres. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. at MSU-IIT gym.

BY JUN ENRIQUEZ

ILIGAN CITY - El Niño phenomenon is the effects of climate change due to global warming, the main purpose of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., visited Iligan City on May 16, to provide Presidential assistance to farmers, fisherfolk and families (PAFFF) affected by the El Niño. The event was held at MSU-IIT gymnasium, Tibanga this city. 

President Marcos, Jr. said that no region and sectoral communities will be left behind. Weeks prior to the visit in Iligan City, the President visited Zamboanga City, General Santos City and Sultan Kudarat to distribute assistance to PAFFF for the same reasons. The visit will personally observe and hear the real and actual situation in coordinating with the concerned agencies in the government.

The President, during his visit expressed his interest to witness the development of Iligan City and Lanao del Norte. “napakalaki po ang bilib, paghanga at respeto ko sa inyong lahat kaya naman minarapat ko na isama ang buong lakas ng pamahalaan sa aking pagdalaw sa inyong lugar,” the President said.

President Marcos, Jr. led to distribute financial assistance to the beneficiaries amounted to Php 10,000 per beneficiary whose livelihood affected by the climate crisis.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) headed by Secretary Rex Gatchalian, also handover Php 10,000 per beneficiary to selected farmers and fisherfolk , and families in Iligan City during the ceremonial turnover. “Tulad ng lagi naming tinatahas sa Kagawaran ng DSWD, kailangan mabilis, maagap, at mapagkalinga sa taong bayan . Kaya sa araw na ito, kami na ho ang lumapit sa inyo para magbigay ng tulong sa inyong lahat (Identified beneficiaries). Makakaasa kayo na tuloy-tuloy and tulong ng pamahalaan at pagkalinga ng pangulo,” said Sec. Gatchalian.

The Office of House Speaker Martin Romauldez also distributed 5 kilos of rice to beneficiaries who actually attended the event.

The President finally handover Php 10.54 million to the city government of Iligan, Php 13.92 million to the provincial government of Lanao del Norte, and Php 24.36 million to the provincial government of Misamis Occidental.

During the day of the payout on May 16, the actual target beneficiaries who actually received assistance was numbering to 9,588 individuals amounted to Php 95,880,000. There were 8,845 individuals still unpaid to be released during the day. There were about 743 individuals subject for verification. At around 6:30 in the morning was the start of releasing the funds, and ended at 7:41 in the evening of the same day.

At the podium, Mayor Frederick W. Siao

Iligan City Mayor Frederick W. Siao, expressed thanks and gratitude to President Marcos, Jr., for the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families for the constituents of Iligan City amidst crisis, particularly those affected by the El Niño phenomenon, marks the pivotal moment for Iligan City to unify in the spirit of cooperation, service, and progress.

“On behalf of the Iliganons, it is both an honor and privilege to extend our heartfelt welcome to our esteemed President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr.. Your presence, Sir, underscores your unwavering commitment to our community’s welfare and advancement,” Mayor Siao said.

The Mayor also expressed concern about Iligan City is the city of majestic waterfalls, not only boosting its natural beauty but also the resilience of its people.

Mayor Siao also emphasized the visionary leadership of the President, the transformative impact has been profoundly felt by every Iliganon from infrastructure projects to healthcare expansion and support programs like the Kadiwa ng Pangulo, among others.

The Mayor also expressed his thanks and gratitude to the National agencies present during the event such as the house of Representatives, and the neighboring local government units, underscores the vital partnership between national and local communities that is crucial in addressing the needs of the constituents in addressing and fostering regional growth.

At the podium, Congressman Celso G. Regencia

Iligan Lone District Congressman, Celso G. Regencia, expressed his profound gratitude for the President’s visit, highlighting the substantial impact it has had in the city and its residents which event was held at the MSU-IIT gymnasium.

The President aimed to help through the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk and Families affected by the El Niño phenomenon due to climate change. There were 10,000 beneficiaries to receive financial assistance at Php 10,000 per beneficiary and an additional 5 kilos rice from the office of House Speaker Martin Romauldez.

“Ang pagbisita ng Pangulo ngayon ay nagdulot ng ibayong biyaya sa ating Lungsod. Kami ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa direktang tulong na ibinigay sa ating mga mamamayan. Sa sampung libo sa ating pinakamahihirap na Iliganon na makakatanggap ng tig-sampung libong piso, ang tulong na ito ay magbibigay ng ginhawa at lakas ng loob humarap sa buhay,”  said Congressman Regencia.

The congressman said that the financial assistance and rice distribution were part of President Marcos’s broader initiative to support communities and committed across the Philippines, will give greater impact to local communities.

Congressman Regencia has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for his constituencies. These efforts are aimed at providing sustainable support and opportunities for growth and development within the community. Video and photo by Jenifer Bagonbon.

 Pres. Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos, Jr.

Partido Manggagawa (PM) joins the 138th International labor day celebration in Iligan City

 

By Jun Enriquez

ILIGAN CITY - The Partido Manggagawa (PM), Iligan chapter enjoined the 138th International Labor day celebration held in Iligan City organized by the Federation of Democratic Labor Organization (FDLO). Jane Bernardo, PM coordinator for Mindanao, delivered a labor day message on vital labor issues pertaining to inflation, wages increase, workers' protection and benefits, including the women in labor. Bernardo emphasized the local and national theme. The national theme states,"Bagong Pilipinas; Manggagawang Pilipino Kabalikat at Kasama sa Pag-asesnso," for the local Theme, "Job security, Decent wages, and Affordable prices, Not Political and economic charter Change."

Bernardo said that the themes will be capsulized in one slogan of the PM, states "SAHOD ITAAS CHACHA IATRAS," makes to develop the national economy. In her analysis, she explained that the Inflation of prices goes up, the current situation on minimum wage is Php 428 per day. The actual nominal peso value is Php 327 due to inflation or a negative difference of Php 101. That's why, she said that there must be a wage increase of Php 150 to compensate the loss of peso value due to the increases of prices. She reiterated that there should be a legislated wage increase in order for the workers to survive within the poverty situation. Bernardo said that the proposed wage increase is still on negotiation and dialogue in congress for two years now through the tripartite conferences in national level. Bernardo said that there is good news because the Senate approved the Php 100 across the board wage increase. However, in the lower house, there is a counter measure still on progress. She hopes that the proposed Php 150 wage increase will be supported by congress to compensate the economic loss of Filipino workers to survive poverty situation.

Bernardo is calling the attention of President Marcos to support and certify the wage increase bill in congress as urgent. (Videographer and Photo by: Jenifer Bagonbon; Jun Enriquez, is the President of the Manggagawang Media ng Mindanaw-MMM).

Tinago Falls is a natural habitat for biodiversity on preservation of forest and marine resources

TINAGO FALLS

By Jun Enriquez

ILIGAN CITY - Tinago Falls is a very unique tourist destinations in the country. Its name "Tinago" was taken from the scenery because the waterfalls was hidden by the two mountains both sides, that's its name called in Visayan term  "Tinago" means hidden. 

The Tinago waterfalls is located in the boundary of Iligan City and Linamon, Lanao del Norte. In the Iligan side, this can be accessed at Barangay Ditucalan and in Lanao del Norte side can be accessed in the municipality of Linamon. All of the two sides, Tinago falls is considered to be a major tourist destinations in their respective place.

The Tinago falls has a height of 50 meters and its lagoon has a diameter of 60 meters, with a depth of 30 meters. The Tinago is considered a watershed area is the source of water supply in Iligan City and Linamon, Lanao del Norte, and highly preserved and protected by both local government of Iligan city and Linamon, Lanao del Norte.