Various agencies of the national government, in partnership with the provincial government, provided almost P39 million in assistance and services during the “Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Sapat Para sa Lahat” held last Sept. 14, 2026 in celebration of the birthday of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.
Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian spearheaded the distribution of different services and assistance in the island province as part of the “Handog ng Pangulo Serbisyo Caravan”, a simultaneous nationwide multi-agency activity, in which all the national government agencies bring their programs and services closer to Filipinos through a one-stop-shop event.
With him on board the flight to Virac were Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao and Talino at Galing ng Pinoy (TGP) Partylist Congressman Jose “Bong” Teves Jr.. DSWD Bicol Regional Director Norman S. Laurio and his staff arrived in the island the day before.
The assistance covered livelihood and employment, social protection, agriculture and fisheries, health, education, skills training, business support, and services for overseas Filipino workers, among others. Beneficiaries received assistance through programs such as TUPAD and GIP, AICS, agricultural and fishery inputs, farm machinery, medical services, education assistance, livelihood support, skills training, and OFW reintegration programs.
A total of P740,000.00 in initial and additional capital from the DSWD Field Office V were given to four Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations (SLPA) from three towns: P225,000 for the BAFF SLPA in Pandan to kickstart their fish processing project; P315,000 for the Seasand Warriors SLPA of Panganiban for their piggery project; P100,000 for Unli Rice SLPA’s rice trading business and P100,000 for Rocky Wings SLPA’s poultry project, both started in San Miguel town last year.
Aside from establishing stable livelihoods, the DSWD has also prioritized support for the agricultural livelihoods in order to strengthen food security in the country.
The agency also distributed freshly cooked hot meals, and 1,000 family food packs (FFPs) to abaca farmers affected by the Southwest Monsoon.
Sec. Gatchalian also joined regional officials in distributing the second tranche of Unified Package for Livelihood, Industry, and Transport (UPLIFT) Assistance to 500 Bucket 2 beneficiaries from Virac, Catanduanes., with the payout to continue in the other 10 municipalities in succeeding days.
Financial Service Providers (FSP) including BDO Unibank, Inc. and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) were present in the venue to provide services to UPLIFT beneficiaries, particularly in online registration.
In the 2026 Handog ng Pangulo Job Fair at the Capitol, beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) applied for job opportunities intended to help their families achieve long-term self-sufficiency. The job fair was organized by the PLGU Provincial Employment Service Office (PESO), Provincial Youth Development Office (PYDO), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Department of Migrant Workers Region 5.
The Social Security System (SSS) Virac Branch, Philippine Statistical Authority (PSA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), DMW and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) assisted in delivering pre-employment services.
A lecture in career development was conducted by Provincial PESO Manager Gerry Rubio for the job applicants prior to the start of the job hiring.
In his message at the Capitol Dome, Sec. Gatchalian disclosed that Pres. Marcos had directed him to look into the province’s present situation and identify areas where assistance could be extended.
He also said that the national government will look into ways to help address the concerns raised by Governor Patrick Alain T. Azanza, particularly the need for a long-term solution to the province’s water concerns and continued support for abaca farmers.
Acknowledging the difficulties experienced by communities in recent months, the secretary emphasized the spirit of “tulong-tulong na pagbangon” in calling for collective efforts toward recovery.
In his response, Gov. Azanza expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Pres. Marcos for extending assistance to Catanduanes and for bringing national government programs closer to communities.
After the Capitol event, the DSWD chief took the opportunity to visit a community project in San Andres town built under the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) Program.
He personally interacted with the community volunteers in barangay Cabcab who helped construct the 24-meter concrete footbridge that cost a total of P1.9 million, of which P1.57 million was the KALAHI-CIDSS grant and P392,781 was the local counterpart contribution.
Located in a low-lying area prone to flooding, the footbridge provides 106 residents of Purok 5 with safer and easier access, particularly during heavy rains.
It helps students cross safely, allows farmers to transport their agricultural products more conveniently, facilitates access during emergencies, and makes daily travel within and outside the community easier.
Also visited by Gatchalian was the bangus fishpond established by the Banawang Inland Fisherfolk Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) Association, thanks to the P320,000 funding as well as training provided by DSWD in 2025.
Officials of the 16-member association shared how they are managing the project despite the challenges of stormy weather, citing the assistance provided by the department and help provided by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Bato Municipal Agricultural Office, at Catanduanes State University.
The DSWD secretary discussed with the SLPA the possible use more modern materials or technology in the fishpond to ensure its productivity despite the threats of typhoons, including the expansion of the pond area to increase production.
With the secretary’s entourage during the visits were Gov. Azanza, Cong. Teves, Congressman Eulogio Rodriguez, Mayor Aly Romano of San Andres, Vice Mayor Felix Romero Jr., Bato Mayor Princess Vanessa Rodriguez, Vice Mayor Reynato Teston and other national and local officials.