LUNA, Apayao – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the awarding of more than 300 Million worth of agri-fishery assistance to farmers and fisherfolks in Apayao province during his visit for the distribution of Presidential Assistance for Farmers, Fisherfolks, and Families in Luna, Apayao on July 19, 2024.
The assistance is under the programs of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and its attached bureaus and agencies specifically the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), Agricultural Credit and Policy Council (ACPC), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), and the Philippine Center for Post-Harvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) covering the Cordillera Administrative Region.
Said assistance included machinery and equipment, livelihood production support, loans, seedlings, and facilities like multiplier farms and irrigation systems. These aim to boost the production and livelihood activities of the farmers and fishers in the province towards increased yield and income.
Pres. Marcos, in his message, assured that the province of Apayao and the Cordillera region as a whole will not be left behind in the pursuit of collective development.
“Asahan po ninyo na hindi tumitigil ang inyong pamahalaan upang ipatupad ang ating mga proyekto at programa na magsusulong ng mas maganda na buhay para sa ating magsasaka at mangingisda kung hindi ng lahat ng mamamayan ng Apayao at ng buong Kordilyera,” he said. The president also urged the people to unite and help each other in order to achieve prosperity.
The beneficiaries also expressed their gratitude to the government for its continued assistance to the farmers and fisherfolks in the Cordillera region.
“Agyamanak ta nai-award kanyami daytoy nga four-wheel drive tractor nga namnamaen mi nga maysa nga makatulong kadakami nga mannalon ti Flora. Agyamanak met kenni Presidente Bongbong Marcos ken ti Department of Agriculture nga kankanayon nga tumultulong kadagiti padami nga mannalon,” expressed Joey Laureta of the Anninipan SWIP irrigators Association in Flora, Apayao.
[I am grateful that the four-wheel drive tractor was awarded to us because this will be helpful to us farmers in Flora. I also thank President Bongbong Marcos and the Department of Agriculture who always extend support to the farmers.]
Present during the Tulong sa Agrikultura Awarding and Distribution of Presidential Assistance for Farmers, Fisherfolks, and Families (PAFFF) were DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., DA-CAR Regional Executive Director Atty. Jennilyn M. Dawayan, Regional Technical Director (RTD) for Operations Dr. Danilo P. Daguio, RTD for Research and Regulations Dr. Arlene M. Sagayo, the Regional Directors of the DA-attached bureaus and agencies, and other heads of offices and support staff.
Other Regional Line Agencies were also present for the awarding of interventions to their identified beneficiaries namely the Dept. of Labor and Employment, Dept. of the Interior and Local Government, Dept. of Social Welfare and Development, Dept. of Trade and Industry, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. By JBAgrifino and CEWaytan
