Close to P158-million of assistance were given to farmers and fisherfolk in Ilocos Norte to boost agriculture production in the province.
President Marcos led the distribution of P157.9 million worth of agricultural support to farmers, fisherfolk, and livestock raisers in Batac City on Wednesday, Sept. 11, the same day the province commemorated the 107th birth anniversary of former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
Interventions such as agri-fishery machineries, seeds, fertilizers, fuel subsidies and solar-powered irrigation systems were turned over to around 1,000 farmers, fishermen, and livestock raisers from different associations in the province.
According to Marcos, the project led by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the provincial government of Ilocos Norte aims to elevate local agri-fishery production, foster sustainable recovery from past calamities in the region.
Marcos assured farmers and fisherfolk in the province that the DA, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) are on top of the situation they are facing in the agriculture sector.
“Every step that we take comes under the unity that we have forged between the different agencies of our government. Lahat po ay magkasama (Everyone will be included),” the President said.
During his visit in the province, Marcos also led the “Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP)” payout in Batac City.
AKAP is aimed at helping needy Filipinos, including the farmers and fisherfolk affected by the El Niño phenomenon in the province.
“Dahil nga sa El Niño, wala tayong nakitang ulan ng anim na buwan. At ito ay kinikilala ng inyong pamahalaan na talagang kailangan tulungan ang mga iba’t-iba na nangangailangan dahil nasira ang tanim at walang huli sa palaisdaan (Because of El Niño, we did not have enough rain for six months. The government acknowledges that we need to extend help to those who were affected),” Marcos said.
“Lahat po ‘yan ay nakita po namin at kaya’t nandito po kami para dagdagan ang kaunting tulong na ibinibigay ng iba’t-ibang ahensya. At ito po ay kasama na sa celebration ng birthday ng aking ama, ang dating Pangulo na si President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos (We saw all of that and that is why we are here to add the assistance given by different agencies. And this is part of the celebration of my father's birthday),” he added.
Sept. 11 was declared a special non-working day by the President in Ilocos Norte to commemorate the 107th birthday of his father.