CAVITE, Philippines – Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday distributed financial aid to thousands of fishermen affected by an oil spill off the coast of Cavite province.

A total of 32,392 fishermen received P5,000 pesos each under the Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk program. They were also given an additional P5,000 pesos from the Department of Social Welfare and Development as part of the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair initiative.

The aid comes in response to an oil spill caused by the sinking of the MV Terranova, which has impacted local fishing activities.

Various government agencies provided additional services to beneficiaries. The Department of Health offered medical services, while PhilHealth provided free laboratory services as part of a “LAB for ALL Caravan.”

The Department of Labor and Employment also introduced alternative livelihood programs for the fishermen.

The government dubbed these efforts part of its “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines) agenda.