Manila: Thousands of residents in Caraga, also known as Region 13, received essential services from government agencies during the 'Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat para sa Lahat' event on Saturday, which coincided with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s 68th birthday.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Agriculture in the region (DA-13), with assistance from local government units, led an initiative to sell rice at PHP20 per kilo. This initiative is expected to benefit over 7,000 residents in the area. Agusan del Norte resident Argie Bagbag, a 31-year-old laborer and father of three, expressed gratitude as the affordable rice provided significant relief for his family. Another beneficiary, 71-year-old Evelyn Lumile, appreciated the fulfillment of President Marcos's promise to make rice affordable for Filipino families. The DA-13 noted that individuals could purchase up to 10 kilos of rice at designated sites in the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Islands.
Simultaneously, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-13) organized job fairs and released livelihood support across the region. They offered over 6,000 local and overseas job vacancies through 76 employers. By 1 p.m., 22 applicants had been hired on the spot. DOLE-13 also reported that PHP9.8 million was paid to 1,602 beneficiaries of the Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program, while PHP5.3 million was disbursed to 257 beneficiaries under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program. Additionally, PHP10.2 million was awarded to 175 workers for business recovery under the Adjustment Measures Program.
On the same day, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) distributed land titles to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs). In Agusan del Sur, 20 ARBs received land titles covering approximately 35.798 hectares under the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling program. Another 20 ARBs received titles for 99.912 hectares under the regular Land Acquisition and Distribution program. Jean Gonzales Tagud from Talacogon, Agusan del Sur, expressed her gratitude for finally receiving the land title, a dream her family had awaited for decades.
