House Speaker Martin Romualdez attends the Agriculture Convergence Event held at the Tiaong Convention Center in Tiaong, Quezon. (Speaker's Office)

"Mr. Rice" House Speaker Martin Romualdez led on Friday afternoon, June 14 the distribution of "ayuda" or cash aid to nearly 4,000 of Quezon province's farmers-- a sector that he holds in high regard.

This took place during the Agriculture Convergence Event held at the Tiaong Convention Center in Tiaong, Quezon.

Speaker Romualdez, leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives, was invited to the landmark event as guest of honor and keynote speaker by Deputy Speaker and Quezon 2nd District Rep. David "Jay-jay" Suarez.

The farmers received the cash assistance via the Department of Labor and Employment's (DOLE) Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.

"Isang kagalakan na makasama kayo dito ngayon sa okasyong ito. Ang programang TUPAD na ipina-abot sa inyo ngayon ay isa lamang po sa mga inisyatibo ng administrasyon ng ating mahal na Pangulong Bongbong Marcos Jr.," Romualdez told the event's attendees.

(It is with pure joy that we have you at this event. The TUPAD that was distributed to you today was just one of the initiatives of the administration of our beloved President Bongbong Marcos Jr.)

He said the TUPAD distribution was done in recognition of the importance of the agriculture sector. He specifically pointed to the farmers' sheer efforts in making sure that Filipino families have food on their table.

"Hindi po nalalayo ang magsasakang Pilipino sa puso ng ating liderato. Kaya nga po’t nabuo ang ganitong mga convergence event," noted Speaker Romualdez, President Marcos' top lieutenant in the legislature.

(Filipino farmers are close to the heart of the leadership. That's why events like this convergence event was created.)

Speaker Romualdez and Deputy Speaker Suarez also led the distribution of farm machineries to qualified farmer-beneficiaries in the province.

The Speaker underscored that the Marcos administration had more assistance in store for the farmers. He cited Quezon in particular as the country’s sixth largest province and one of its top crop producers.

"Bukod dito sa programang TUPAD, na pinangangasiwaan ng DOLE, nariyan din po ang Department of Agriculture (DA), National Irrigation Administration (NIA) at Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) para masiguro na may sapat na tubig ang ang inyong mga pananim," he said.

(Aside from TUPAD that is overseen by DOLE, the DA, NIA, and DPWH are also there to ensure that you have ample Irrigation for your crops.

Speaker Romualdez bared that his office has also coordinated with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for the farmers to avail of the Farmer’s Assistance for Recovery and Modernization or FARM.