In a gesture of support for the typhoon-stricken regions of Aurora, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has allocated PHP50 million in financial assistance. The aid was distributed on January 15, 2025, at the provincial capitol in Baler, with the President’s son, William Vincent Araneta Marcos, personally delivering the funds to local government officials.
The funds are designated to mitigate the impacts of Severe Tropical Storm Nika (Toraji) and Super Typhoons Ofel (Usagi) and Pepito (Man-Yi), which wreaked havoc in November 2024. The provincial government of Aurora received PHP30 million, while the municipalities of Casiguran and Baler were each granted PHP10 million.
Governor Reynante Tolentino accepted the aid on behalf of the province, expressing gratitude to President Marcos Jr. for the timely support. Casiguran’s Mayor Roynald Soriano and representatives from Baler, Lian Angara and Vincent Paladio, also received their allocations.
The distribution ceremony saw the presence of notable figures including Representative Rommel Angara, Provincial Administrator Joseph Soniel, and Board Members Jake Galban and Lloyd Alsen Delos Reyes, among other local officials.
Governor Tolentino highlighted that the financial assistance would play a crucial role in accelerating recovery efforts, which include relief operations, the rehabilitation of infrastructure, and the restoration of agricultural lands affected by the typhoons.