Zamboanga city: The Office of the President has provided PHP5 million in financial assistance for those displaced by weather disturbances that hit this city in February this year. 'I personally picked up the cheque in Malaca±ang,' Mayor Khymer Olaso said in a statement on Wednesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Olaso handed over the cheque on Tuesday to City Treasurer Romelita Candido and City Social Welfare and Development Office Chief Ma. Soccoro Rojas. The mayor stated that the assistance was funded through the Office of the President's Socio-Civic Projects Fund (SCPF) to help families affected by the combined effects of Tropical Storm Basyang and the shear line, which brought heavy rains, flooding, and displacement to several parts of this city last February.

The SCPF is a financial assistance program administered by the Office of the Executive Secretary under the Office of the President. It provides direct grants to local communities for grassroots development, community-level initiatives, and educational assistance. 'The fund may be used for cash assistance, food, medicines, non-food items, and other relief and rehabilitation-related expenses for affected households,' Olaso said.

He expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the national government for the assistance, noting that the fund will help the city government extend support to affected families and strengthen ongoing recovery efforts in this city. He also mentioned that the city government will utilize the assistance in accordance with existing laws, rules, and regulations governing disaster response and financial assistance programs.