President Marcos Jr. delivers billions in aid and orders rapid quake rehab in Mindanao

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. handed over a total of P136 million in financial assistance under the Socio‑Civic Projects Fund, giving P96 million to the Cotabato provincial government and P40 million to South Cotabato. The aid targets 480 barangays in Cotabato and 200 barangays in South Cotabato, supporting local services, disaster management and education. Marcos also inaugurated the Antong Dam and Irrigation System Project in Sultan Kudarat, a rehabilitation effort costing at least P1 billion and capable of irrigating up to 3,000 hectares.

Following the June 8 magnitude 7.8 earthquake that devastated southern Mindanao, the president ordered agencies to fast‑track rehabilitation of damaged facilities. The quake destroyed infrastructure worth at least P2.3 billion and left General Santos City, Glan (Sarangani), South Cotabato and Davao Occidental without power for days; electricity has now been restored to 99.16% of customers. The government has shifted from relief to cash‑distribution assistance for victims, and Marcos highlighted the need to assess usable infrastructure and rebuild promptly.