MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday led the delivery of government services to vulnerable communities in South Cotabato through his administration’s Bawat Bayan Makikinabang program.
The said event aims to expedite the delivery of assistance from the national government to local governments and communities as the province is still reeling from the effects of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that jolted Mindanao earlier this month.
Under the program, the Office of the President distributed 40 million pesos to 200 barangays in South Cotabato and 96 million pesos to 480 barangays in Cotabato Province.
“Because even though there is no more earthquake, we need to assess the various infrastructures, those that can still be used, those that can no longer be used, and what other needs there are,” Marcos said.
“Currently, we are providing cash transfers because the relief phase is over and we have entered, we have been able to provide food assistance,” he added.
The chief executive further gave reassurance that the process for releasing quick response funds (QRF) are more streamlined to ensure the needs of the people would be immediately provided.
The direct funding mechanism is expected to improve efficiency in implementing local projects.
“Because if we go through the national government again, you know that when it goes through the national government, we will send more people, they will send assessors, they will interview you. It takes a long time,” Marcos said.
“So, just ask the local government. That's what we did. We just gave the funds to the local government and I told them, you take care of it,” he added.
