Manaoag, San Fabian Mayors Join Marcos Distribution of P6-M Aid

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

 The Mayors of Manaoag and San Fabian in Pangasinan joined recently presidential sister and Senator Imee Marcos in the distribution of six million pesos’ aid to the indigents of the two towns.

Each of the two first class towns received P3 million from the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

SENATOR AND MAYORS. Senator Imee Marcos (from left photo and clockwise), Manaoag Mayor Jeremy Agerico "Ming" Rosario and San Fabian Mayor Marlyn E. Agbayani. 

The AICS is a social safety net or a stop-gap mechanism to support the recovery of individuals and families from unexpected crises such as illness or death of a family member, calamities and other crisis situations.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga bayan ng Manaoag at San Fabian sa Pangasinan sa kanilang mainit na pagsalubong sa aking pagbisita ngayong Huwebes, Disyembre 8,” the eldest sister of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. said.

Senator Imee Marcos in Manaoag, Pangasinan.

The Senator said that two thousand beneficiaries in the two central Pangasinan municipalities received P3,000 each.

The indigent recipients were identified by the offices of Manaoag Mayor Jeremy Agerico Rosario and San Fabian Mayor Marlyn Espino-Agbayani.

They were the lowly farmers, tricycle drivers, persons with disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens, solo parents, parking and candle boys, car blessing assistants in The Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Manaoag, and narcotics user surrenderees.
 Agbayani was joined by her husband Vice Mayor Danny Agbayani who was a cousin of Senator Marcos.

The former nine years’ mayor proudly told this writer that he is a dyed in the wool supporter of the Marcoses because of his being a relative. This kinship resulted in the multi-million pesos’ concrete bridge Senator Marcos interceded in the Department of Public Works & Highway that constructed it in the northern part of the coastal town.

Stating the difficulties faced by many Filipinos with the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic and the unabated inflation of the basic commodities, Marcos said, “Kaunting palubag lang ito lalo sa senior citizens, solo parents, higit sa lahat’ yong PWDs.”

Senator Imee Marcos in San Fabian, Pangasinan.

The Senator also urged beneficiaries to help rebuild tourism in Manaoag as jobs were affected because of the onslaught of the Covid-19.
The Minor Basilica is a top draw in the country for Catholic travelers around the world.
Before the pandemic, the heritage church drew thousands of devotees yearly.

In a message to Marcos, Pangasinan Governor Ramon Guico, III thanked her intercession on behalf of the Pangasinenses.
“Sana ay huwag kayong magsasawa sa pagbisita sa Pangasinan.  You are always welcome to this province. We will support you all the way because you have shown great support to our beloved province,” Guico said.

It can be recalled that Marcos had already distributed the same financial assistance in the previous month to the poor in the huge province. She visited the cities of Alaminos, Dagupan and San Carlos and the towns of Bayambang and Binalonan.