Pres. Arroyo delivers social services in Surigao Norte

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo delivered today social services to the poorest of the poor people during her visit in Malimono, Surigao del Norte in order to fulfill her commitment in fighting poverty.

On board the presidential helicopter, the President arrived minutes ahead of the schedule at the school ground of Barangay San Isidro in Malimono. With the President are Presidential Management Staff Secretary Cerge Remonde, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Esperanza Cabral, Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Ace Barbers, PAGCOR Vice President for Social Services Adolph Edward Plaza, Surigao Norte 2nd District Representative Guillermo Romarate, and Agusan del Norte 1st District Representative Jose Aquino II.

From the school’s ground, the President, together with her party walked to the municipality’s covered court when the crowd who patiently awaits for her arrival, clapped and cheered with joy, while the municipality’s band was playing.

When the party arrived at the municipality’s covered court, just beside the school, the crowd inside the venue, estimated at around 5,000 were very excited and eager to see the President as shown by their loud cheers.

In her speech, the President emphasizes her mission to strengthen the fight against poverty by saying that places like Malimono should be given proper attention by delivering social, dental and medical services. Through this, she said, it is her dream that a 5th class municipality like Malimono will be elevated as time marches on.

“Ang mga gagmay’ng probinsiya ug lungsod sama sa Surigao ug Malimono, angayan gyud nga hatagan ug tukmang atensyon sa nasudnong panggamhanan aron mapahingusgan ang pag-buntog sa kalisud.” (”Small provinces and towns like Surigao and Malimono should be given proper attention by the national government to strengthen our fight against poverty”), Pres. Arroyo said.

During the ceremony, the President awarded 20 buntis kits for pregnants and certificates to operate Botika ng Barangay to barangay Cantapoy, Karihatag and Pili, as part of the thrusts and programs of the Department of Health (DOH). She was assisted by Gov. Barbers and Malimono Mayor Teodoro Sinaca.

Meanwhile, the President awarded 20 scholarships, 25 Galing Masahista Ako recipients, and 25 Galing Mekaniko Ako recipients, a project initiated by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Also, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), through Pres. Arroyo, distributed 619 PhilHealth cards to Malimono residents. It was learned that the project was drawn from the funds of the national government.

As part of the hunger mitigation program of the government, Pres. Arroyo distributed assorted vegetable seeds composed of 200 bags of hybrid seeds, four checks amounting to P1.775 million for the rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads. She also awarded 155 knapsack sprayers to farmers of Malimono, as well as 100 chicks. All these were received by Mayor Sinaca.

In relation to the “Ahon Pamilyang Pinoy Program” of the DSWD, cash assistance amounting to P1,400 per family per month were ceremoniously awarded by the President to ten qualified recipients. Around 1,000 families are recipients of the program in the town.

Finally, the National Food Authority (NFA) distributed 480 packs, equivalent to 15 bags of rice to the residents. Another 5,000 packs composed of 4 kilograms of rice, 4 cans sardines and 4 noodles were also given, while the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) delivered medical and dental services. The team is composed of 20 medical doctors and 10 dentists.

After the ceremony, the President immediately boarded on the presidential helicopter to attend to another engagement in Cebu City. (PIA-13)

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