President Marcos has committed to develop Butuan City into the center of trade and industry in Caraga Region.

“Katulad ninyo, nagsisikap ang pamahalaan upang lalo pang maging matatag ang Butuan bilang sentro ng kalakalan, industriya, at pamamahala dito sa Caraga (Like you, the government is also working to boost Butuan to be a center of trade, industry, and governance in Caraga),” Marcos said during the distribution of government assistance in Butuan City on Thursday, June 20.

 The President also promised to continue bolstering the region’s agriculture and fishery sectors.

“Naghandog din ang ating pamahalaan ng karagdagang binhi at makinarya sa pagsasaka upang mapabuti ang inyong ani at mapagaan ang inyong hanapbuhay sa araw-araw (The government is also providing seeds and machinery for farming to help improve and make your livelihood easier)," Marcos said in his speech.  

Marcos also cited the implementation of the National Rice Program, National Corn Program, and High-Value Crops Development Program nationwide, including Caraga.

Among the government’s major agricultural interventions in the Caraga Region from January 2023 to May 2024 are the allocation of P774.95 million under the National Rice Program, P220.50 million under the National Corn Program, and P68.93 million under the High-Value Crops Development Program.

A fishery infrastructure is also being built with the ongoing construction of the P60-million Bislig City Fish Port to ensure fresh fish supply to the city and Surigao del Sur, Marcos said.

In his speech, the Chief Executive stressed that the recovery of El Niño-hit farmers and fisherfolk is crucial to sustain progress in the region.

“Naniniwala kami na ang pagkalinga sa ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda sa mga panahong tulad nito ang susi upang muling makabangon at makatulong sa pagpapanday ng isang mas masagana at maunlad na Bagong Pilipinas (We believe that helping the farmers and fisherfolk in times like this is key to the recovery and forging a progressive new Philippines),” he said.

He also acknowledged the efforts and sacrifices of farmers and fisherfolk, which, according to him, not only show their incomparable love for family but also demonstrate their pure intention for the Philippines.

Meanwhile, a total of P158.15 million in financial assistance was handed over to the  local government units (LGUs) of Caraga as part of the administration’s support to farmers and fisherfolk affected by the El Niño phenomenon.

Marcos led the distribution of P12.48 million in financial assistance to Surigao del Sur; P50 million to Agusan del Sur; P46.84 million to Butuan City; P28.26 million to Agusan del Norte; P10.57 million to Surigao del Norte; and P10 million to Dinagat Islands.

Butuan City was placed under state of calamity on June 13, 2024 due to El Niño, affecting around 3,694 farmers and fisherfolk and causing P699.54 million worth of agricultural losses.

The President also extended P10,000 cash assistance each for 9,195 beneficiaries in Surigao del Sur and 4,650 beneficiaries in Agusan del Norte and Butuan City.