Marcos hands over P210-M aid to El Niño-hit Mindanao LGUs, provinces

 

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. extended PhP100 million in Presidential assistance to the provincial governments of Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato on Friday

James Relativo - Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. distributed millions worth of aid to local officials in a bid to help Mindaoan farmers and fisherfolks reeling from the effects of the devastating El Niño.

Marcos handed over the financial aid as the Department of Agriculture earlier estimated damages and losses to agriculture at around P5.9 billion, sending over 207 cities and municipalities to a state of calamity.

The chief executive distributed the cash assistance to the following areas in separate ceremonial turnovers on Friday:

General Santos City: P10 million

South Cotabato province: P50 million

Saranggani province: P50 million

Sultan Kudarat province: P50 milllion

Cotabato province: P50 million

Among the presidential assistance provided were in the form of irrigation projects, rice mill facilities, farming tools, and fertilizers for farmers as well as help for fisherfolk from the DA.

"I went here not only to personally thank our friends in GenSan and South Cotabato, but to also to show trust and a vote of confidence in your capacity to reach a prosperous and bright future," said Marcos in Filipino.

"Were are here to give assistance and aid to our farmers, fisherfolk, and their families amid the drought brought about by El Niño."

The president likewise assured the farmers, fisherfolk and residents of Sultant Kudarat that the state will exhaust all resources to ensure that no one will be left behind.

In line with this, the DA also distributed seedlings, fertilizers, pumping equipment and other agricultural machineries.

PAGASA characterizes El Niño by unusually warmer than average sea surface temperatures, while increasing the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions.

While the state weather bureau earlier saw the weakening of El Niño, the DA is already bracing for a "more destructive" La Niña.

"In our 'Bagong Pilipinas,' the government is united so that we will together overcome the calamities and challenges we're facing," Marcos said.

Possible cyclone could enter PAR as 'Simbang Gabi' starts — PAGASA

James Relativo - Philstar.com

December 16, 2023 | 12:54pm

MANILA, Philippines — PAGASA is closely monitoring a developing low pressure area (LPA) situated east of Mindanao, a weather disturbance that shows potential for intensification into a tropical depression.

There are indications it could enter the Philippine area of responsibility by Saturday.

The LPA was last seen 1,225 kilometers east of southeastern Mindanao, according to DOST-PAGASA weather specialist Obet Badrina in a forecast shortly before 5 a.m.

"Based on our last satellite images, [the LPA] is still outside the Philippine area of responsibility," said Badrina on Saturday morning in Filipino.

"It could enter the PAR this Saturday, and we are not discounting the possibility of it intensifying into a tropical storm."

PAGASA predicted one tropical cyclone before Christmas and possibly another before the year ends.

Badrina's forecast came as the traditional nine-day Simbang Gabi (Misa de Gallo) began early Saturday morning, with Catholics flocking to churches until Christmas eve.

"Whether it becomes a tropical cyclone or not, we expect that the low pressure area... will bring rains especially starting tomorrow, particularly in the eastern section of Mindanao and Visayas," the PAGASA official added.

"It could also be the case that, because of the expected shear line in the next few days, parts of Bicol Region could experience some rains."

If the low pressure area strengthens into a cyclone and enters the PAR, it will be named "Kabayan." This could mark the 11th cyclone to enter the region in 2023."