PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. was declared an “adopted son” of Camarines Sur, a stronghold of former Vice President Leni Robredo who was Marcos’ closest rival in the May 2022 elections.
The declaration was contained in a resolution passed by the provincial board or Sangguniang Panlalawigan. The resolution was announced by Camarines Sur Gov. Luigi Villafuerte in Naga City, during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) housing program which Marcos attended.
“As a way of expressing our everlasting gratitude for all that you have done, Mr. President, please allow me to present to you the resolution by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Camarines Sur declaring you, Mr. President, as the adopted son of Camarines Sur,” he said.
Villafuerte said when Marcos was a senator, he fought hard to oppose a proposal splitting Camarines Sur into two provinces. Marcos served as senator from 2010 to 2016.
He also said Marcos has been extending assistance to the province during calamities and natural disasters, like when he visited in 2017 following typhoon “Niña” (international name Nock-Ten).
Villafuerte also said he believes in the President’s call for unity and urged Bicolanos to support Marcos.
“Mr. President, I truly believe in your call for unity because if there is unity, there is strength. And we can only progress as a nation if we unite as one. So I call on all Camarinenses, I call on all Bicolanos, let us unite under the leadership of our President because his success is our success… Our President has always believed in the power of unity. He wanted our province to remain united. He wants our country to be united,” he said.
Camarines Sur, one of the provinces in the Bicol region, is the bailiwick of Robredo who was born in Naga City in 1965. Robredo won against Marcos during the vice presidential race in 2016.
Marcos, during a second groundbreaking event in Naga, thanked Camarinenses for their “support” and “enthusiasm,” adding he did not expect the warm welcome.
He also urged them to support and unite under his administration as it strives to bring success and progress to the country.
HOUSING PROGRAMS
The groundbreaking ceremonies are for the construction of about 20,000 housing units in Naga City, under the government’s Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program.
Marcos said the 4PH — implemented through the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) in coordination with local government units — is part of government’s efforts to address the 6 million housing backlog and to provide comfortable and decent housing for the people.
Under the 4PH project in Camarines Sur, five residential towers with 11,880 housing units and four commercial buildings with residential units will be constructed on a six-hectare land on Panganiban Drive, Naga City. Another set of residential and commercial towers with about 6,000 housing units will be put up near the provincial hall.
The President said his administration’s goal is to build a million houses each year under his six-year term. The housing projects include basic and vital facilities such as schools, market, medical facilities and livelihood infrastructure.
Marcos said to date, the DHSUD has signed 83 memoranda of understanding and four memoranda of agreement with local government units (LGUs) nationwide for the implementation of the 4PH.
LGUs identify and provide the land where housing projects are constructed by the national government through DHSUD. The Pag-IBIG Fund has allocated P250 billion for the 4PH project
Apart from the housing projects, the President also launched the “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” program which provides consumers affordable and fresh food products; and farmers, fishermen and small and medium enterprises a market to sell their products.
Marcos also led the distribution of food packs and cash aid to around 3,000 beneficiaries gathered at the Fuerte CamSur Sports Complex in Pili.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development distributed family food packs and cash assistance worth P5,000 each to 1,500 recipients under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation, while the Department of Labor and Employment’s provided P10.3 million for 391 beneficiaries under its Integrated Livelihood Program, and 26.5 million worth of financial assistance to 4,000 beneficiaries under its Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers program.
The Department of Trade and Industry also provided P1 million worth of livelihood kits worth P9,000 to P10,000 each to beneficiaries under the Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa Program, and P5.3 million worth of loan approval, which ranges between P30,000 to P3 million, for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) under its Small Business Corporation program.
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority distributed electrical tool kits for those who have completed their training on electric installation and maintenance, and 36 sewing kits and 64 baking and food processing kits to 100 MSME beneficiaries.
The President, who is also concurrent secretary of the Department of Agriculture, distributed fertilizer discount vouchers worth P9.48 million or P6,600 each to 1,371 rice farmers; P7.5 million additional financial assistance worth P5,000 each to 1,500 rice farmer beneficiaries; and P93,000 under the DA’s Fuel Assistance Program for corn and cassava farmers or P3,000 each to 31 beneficiaries.
He also led the distribution of over P167.2 million worth of farm machineries and awarded 30-footer and 22-footer reinforced plastic boats worth P6.3 million to various farmer cooperatives under the auspices of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
Among those who accompanied the President during the trip were Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Camarines Sur Gov. Villafuerte, Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. Luis Raymond Villafuerte, and Camarines Sur 5th District Rep. Miguel Luis Villafuerte.
