President Marcos said that almost P10 billion was spent for the development of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon (Calabarzon) Region, including key infrastructure projects, within a year.
During his speech at the distribution of government assistance to farmers and fisherfolk in Batangas on Thursday, July 11, Marcos highlighted that P10 billion was utilized for the Philippine Rural Development Plan of Region 4-A from 2023 to 2024.
“[K]ami po ay patuloy na kumikilos upang palakasin ang ekonomiya ng Calabarzon. Mula noong 2023 hanggang 2024, nakapagbigay na po tayo ng halos sampung bilyong piso para sa Philippine Rural Development Plan dito sa Region 4-A (We are continuously working to boost the economy of Calabarzon. From 2023 to 2024, almost P10 billion was spent for the Philippine Rural Development Plan here in Region 4-A ),” he pointed-out.
Marcos cited the ongoing projects in the region which include the Taal Lake Circumferential Road and the Lobo Malabrigo - San Juan Laiya Road in Batangas and the Quipot Irrigation Project and Macalelon Irrigation Project in Quezon.
The President also commended the resiliency of Batangueños amid the challenges brought by the El Niño phenomenon as he vowed government's continuous assistance for the needy.
“Mga minamahal kong kababayan, iba-iba [man] ang [pinagdaraanan] nating pagsubok at patong-patong man ang mga suliranin at hamon ng buhay, malalampasan natin ang lahat ng ito kung patuloy tayong [magtutulungan] sa isa't isa (My beloved countrymen, we may face different challenges and go through various problems, we will overcome them if we continue to help each other),” Marcos said.
During the distribution of government aid, P10,000 cash assistance were handed over to 30 select beneficiaries from the provinces of Batangas, Laguna and Quezon.
Presidential assistance was also given to the three provincial governments – P24,040,000 for Batangas; P17,420,000 for Laguna; and P28,810,000 for Quezon.
Several government agencies also provided various aid such as farm machineries, equipment, fiber boats, seeds, and fishing cages under the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Rice Program, Corn Program, High Value Crops Development Program, National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program, Livestock Program and Organic Agriculture Program.