Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday extended livelihood assistance to vendors affected by the fire that destroyed the Batac Public Market in Ilocos Norte last month, while providing funds for the market's rehabilitation.

According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos distributed PHP20,000 in assistance to the 128 affected stall owners and turned over the PHP150-million Local Government Support Fund Special Allotment Release Order for the reconstruction of the market.

'Lubos ang suporta ng pamahalaan sa pagbangon ng mga apektadong negosyante at manggagawa ng Batac Public Market matapos ang sunog na sumira sa pangunahing gusali ng pamilihan noong Hulyo (The government is supporting the recovery of the affected merchants and workers of the Batac Public Market following the fire that destroyed the market's main building last July),' the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a news release.

'Tiniyak ng pamahalaan ang patuloy na suporta sa pagbangon ng Batac Public Market sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng tulong sa kabuhayan sa mga apektadong stall owners at paglalaan ng pondo para sa pagtatayo ng mas moderno, mas ligtas at mas matibay na pampublikong pamilihan (The government has assured continued support for the recovery of the Batac Public Market by providing livelihood assistance to affected stall owners and allocating funds for the construction of a more modern, safe, and resilient public market),' it added.

The PCO said the government would continue supporting the market's recovery through investments aimed at revitalizing the local economy and helping affected businesses resume operations.

The fire broke out on July 5 and was fully extinguished the following day, damaging several stalls and leaving vendors with significant losses.