President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. hands over to Puerto Princesa City Mayor Lucilo Bayron a P10 million check as aid to the city government during the ceremonial distribution of benefits under the Presidential Assistance for Farmers, Fisherfolk and Families program for qualified beneficiaries from the province of Palawan and Marinduque held in Puerto Princesa Thursday (July 18, 2024). With them is Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, who is the concurrent caretaker of the First and Third Districts of Palawan.
SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Thursday lauded President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s program that extends direct financial assistance to farmers and fisherfolk throughout the country.
The leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives made the remark before the President distributed cash aid to about 10,000 beneficiaries under his Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk (PAFF) program.
The distribution took place at the Edward S. Hagedorn Coliseum in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. The recipients were from Palawan and the neighboring province of Marinduque.
House members led by Palawan Rep. Jose Alvarez and local officials, including Palawan Gov. Victorino Dennis Socrates and Vice Gov. Leoncio Ola, Marinduque Gov. Presbitero Velasco Jr., and Puerto Princesa City Mayor Lucilo Bayron attended the event.
In the process of introducing President Marcos, the Speaker explained the rationale behind the financial assistance program for farmers and fisherfolk.
“Kayo po – ang ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda – ang nagpapakain at bumubuhay sa buong bansa. Obligasyon ng ating gobyerno na tiyaking busog din lagi ang inyong mga pamilya at may maliwanag na kinabukasan para sa inyong mga anak,” he told the beneficiaries.
“Sa pagbibigay ng suporta sa inyo, mapapalakas natin ang produksyon ng pagkain at masisiguro na abot-kaya ang presyo ng mga ito para sa ating mamamayan,” he said.
Speaker assured President Marcos of the continuing support of the House of Representatives for his visionary programs that continue to help every Filipino.
“We are very, very proud to be working under your leadership. I assure you, in the upcoming budget, these programs and projects of yours will be fully supported by the House of Representatives,” he said.
Romualdez expressed optimism the program would lead to increased production and decreased importation.
“Ang misyon ng ating Pangulo: malaking kita para sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda, mataas na produksyon ng pagkain para hindi na tayo mag-import nito mula sa ibang bansa, at maayos na supply chain para maging abot-kaya ang presyo ng inyong mga produkto sa merkado,” he added.
The House leader pointed out that the program intends to help all farmers and fisherfolk all over the country.
“Ang programang ito ay ang Presidential Assistance To Farmers and Fisherfolk o PAFF na laan para sa lahat ng magsasaka at mangingisda sa buong bansa. Ito ay bahagi ng pagsisikap ng gobyerno na palakasin ang sektor ng agrikultura at pangingisda,” he said.
“Layunin ng inyong gobyerno hindi lamang ang magbigay ng direktang tulong at suporta sa ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Misyon din naming lahat na paghusayin ang imprastruktura para sa inyong sektor. Dadalhin din natin ang mga makabagong pamamaraan sa pagsasaka at pangingisda upang tumaas ang produksyon sa buong bansa,” the Speaker said.
He told Palaweños that the President made sure that Palawan was among the first provinces that would benefit from the program because of its natural resources.
“Siniguro ng ating Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. na isa ang Palawan sa unang mabibigyan ng pagkakataon na mapaunlad ang agrikultura at pangingisda. Alam nating lahat na ang Palawan ay kilala sa kanyang masaganang likas na yaman at magagandang tanawin, kaya’t dapat lamang na bigyang pansin ang potensiyal nito sa kaunlaran,” he said.
Romualdez is also the concurrent caretaker of the First and Third Districts of the province of Palawan.
He urged intended beneficiaries and the people in general to support the program.
“Mga kababayan ko dito sa Palawan, ang PAFF program ay para sa bawat Pilipino na nagnanais ng mas maginhawang buhay at masaganang ani. Magtulungan tayo at suportahan ang programa na ito para sa mas masaganang Pilipinas,” he said.
“Naparito ang panauhin natin ngayon para dalhin ang biyayang hatid ng gobyerno direkta sa inyong lahat,” he said, referring to President Marcos.
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