DAVAO CITY -- Eleven municipalities in Maguindanao del Sur have received a total of 55 million pesos in emergency financial assistance to bolster recovery efforts following severe flooding in the region, officials said.

The Office of the Special Assistant to the President (OSAP) led the distribution of P5 million to each municipality under the "Tugon ng Pangulo" program of the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. administration. Persistent heavy rainfall from the Intertropical Convergence Zone caused rivers to overflow in late October 2025, displacing thousands of residents and damaging homes, infrastructure, and farmland across the province.

Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo said the program is designed to provide local government units with the liquidity needed to respond to disasters without delay.

He noted that the funds aim to provide immediate support to those impacted by calamities, enabling local leaders to respond swiftly and effectively on the ground.

The funds were released following a formal request from Rep. Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu, who sought aid for the displaced families and damaged livelihoods in his district.

Mangudadatu expressed gratitude to the president and Lagdameo, stating in Filipino that it was vital for the request to be acted upon quickly to help the affected communities.

During a turnover ceremony in Davao City, the mayors personally received the checks for their respective municipalities.

The recipients included Mayor Datu Ibrahim Mangudadatu of Buluan, Mayor Vicman Montawal of Datu Montawal, Mayor Omar Ali of Datu Salibo, Mayor Bassir Uto of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, and Mayor Fiedder Owen Mangudadatu of Mangudadatu.

Other local leaders receiving aid were Mayor Abdilah Mamasabulod of Pagalungan, Mayor Raisa Langkuno of Paglat, Mayor Bai Maruja Ampatuan Mastura of Rajah Buayan, Mayor Mielyn Dimalna Ali of Gen. S.K. Pendatun, Mayor Allandatu Angas Sr. of Sultan sa Barongis, and Mayor Datu Sajid Andre Ampatuan of Shariff Saydona Mustapha.

Officials said the funds may be utilized at the discretion of each local government unit to assist flood victims, restore essential services, and rehabilitate damaged infrastructure.

The relief initiative is part of the administration's "Bagong Pilipinas" agenda, which prioritizes responsive government intervention during natural disasters and other emergencies.