President Marcos vowed that his administration will continue extending help to Antiqueños amid the progress being felt by the province in terms of infrastructure and the challenges its people face due to the El Niño phenomenon.

 President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. speaks at the distribution of government assistance to farmers and fisherfolk in Antique on Thursday, June 27, 2024. (RTVM screenshot)

In his speech during the distribution of presidential assistance to farmers, fisherfolk, and families in Binirayan, San Jose de Buenavista, Antique on Thursday, June 27, the Chief Executive assured Antiqueños that the government will always be ready to answer their call for help.
 

“Nananatiling bukas ang inyong pamahalaan upang makinig at tumugon sa inyong mga hinaing at upang matulungan kayong makamit ang inyong mga pangarap para sa inyong mga sarili, para sa inyong mga pamilya, at kasama rin para sa buong Pilipinas (The government will remain open to listen and address your concerns and to help you achieve your dreams for yourselves, families, and the whole Philippines),” Marcos said.
 

“Magtiwala po kayo na sisikapin namin na maabot ang ating mga liblib at malalayong pamayanan sa bawat sulok ng bansa, nang sa gayon ay walang maiiwanan at walang mahuhuli at sama-sama tayong [maglalakbay] sa Bagong Pilipinas, patungo sa Bagong Pilipinas (Trust that we will work hard to reach far-flung areas in every corner of the country, so that no one will be left behind and we will all be together toward a New Philippines),” he added.
 

The Chief Executive also called on Antiqueños to value the government assistance they received, and to be role models to other nearby towns looking up to them.
 

“Sa pakikipagsapalaran nating ito, umaasa ako na makikiisa kayo sa amin at sa inyong lokal na pamahalaan upang mapaunlad [pang] lalo ang inyong ekonomiya at magdala ng pangmatagalang kasaganahan sa Antique (In this journey, I trust that you will work with us and your local government to develop your economy and bring long-term prosperity to Antique),” Marcos stated.
 

During the event, the President led the ceremonial distribution of P10,000 each to select 10 beneficiaries from Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Capiz, and Aklan.
 

Marcos also handed over P50 million assistance to the provincial government of Antique; P50 million to the provincial government of Iloilo; P28.41 million to the provincial government of Guimaras; P50 million to the provincial government of Capiz; and P50 million to the provincial government of Aklan.
 

He also led the turnover of farm machineries and equipment such as post-harvest kits, fiber reinforced plastic boats, bags of seeds, bio-fertilizers, a power sprayer, a multicultivator, a four-wheel tractor, a rice combine harvester, floating tillers and seednuts.
 

The Department of Agriculture (DA) gave away 33 sacks of seedlings and almost 100 bio-fertilizers from the Hamtic Multi-purpose Cooperative.
 

Some 100 sacks of hybrid seeds and more than 5,000 packs of bio-fertilizers were also given to El Niño-affected farmers.
 

These, Marcos said, would improve the harvest and planting, as well as lower the cost of farming produce.
 

Meanwhile, Marcos applauded the Antique Airport Development Project, which, in the coming months, would also be fitted with an expanded runway, check-in counters, and other amenities for its passenger terminal building.
 

He also praised the completion and opening of the Paliwan Bridge that would link the towns of Laua-an and Bugasong.
 

The President also reported that the P9 billion Panay East-West Lateral Road is already 80 percent complete.