KALIBO, Aklan (PIA) -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. assured the Aklanons of the government’s staunch efforts to advance the agricultural productivity of the province of Aklan.

During his speech on Fridday, Oct. 6, Marcos emphasized that the government remains persistent in supporting the agriculture sector and strengthening the country’s value chain through its various programs and projects.

“Bilang pangunahing pagkain ng mga Pilipino, mahalaga na hindi [mawawala] ang suplay ng bigas sa ating mga tahanan. Sinisikap po nating [pababain] ang presyo ng bigas at iba pang produktong agrikultural upang bigyan ang mamamayan ng kakayahang makabili nito anumang oras kakailanganin nila at ng kanilang pamilya (As the staple food of the Filipinos, it is important that the rice supply in our homes will not [diminish]. We are devoting to lower the price of rice and other agricultural products to give the people the power to buy it whenever they need it),” Marcos noted.

Through the DA, Marcos also noted that P30 million was also given to the province to augment the recovery of the swine and shellfish industry in Aklan that were affected by the African Swine Fever (ASF) and the occurrence of red tide.

Also, apart from the continued distribution of premium quality rice to the 3,000 beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Panay Island, more assistance from various special programs and attached agencies of the DA were turned over to Aklan province in particular.

The DA-Philippine Rural Development Project provided different livelihood assistance to the three associations based in Altavas, Banga, and Nabas towns.

Through the DA’s Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), the accredited learning sites for agriculture were also given training assistance through the funding support handed out during the simultaneous distribution of government aid.

The National Dairy Authority, on the other hand, provided another three identified associations in the province with dairy livelihood assistance in the form of animal stewardship amounting to P16.2 million.

Marcos also led the distribution of some farm implements like fertilizers as well as other farm machinery and equipment (FMEs) from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to the 241 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the province.

The recipients of these other government interventions include several associations in the towns of Ibajay, Makato, and Malinao.

sa pagsasamantala sa taumbayan (I wanted to use this time to enjoin you in monitoring to fight against the smuggling and hoarding, and other syndicates who continuously proliferate and take advantage of the people),” said Marcos, citing that the government will not cease until these smugglers no longer exist.

Meanwhile, other government agencies provided more aid through their various support programs.The Department of Health (DOH) provided beneficiaries of P3.6 million worth of medical assistance to indigent patients; the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) gave out P1.5 million livelihood assistance; the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) provided scholars with financial assistance amounting to P3.25 million and under UniFAST with P31.67 million; and a seed capital fund were turned over from the DSWD worth P600,000.

The DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) likewise extended help to the Aklan fisherfolk, whose bancas were destroyed by the same typhoon, with 16 fiberglass fishing boats.

Exemplifying the whole-of-government approach, Marcos highlighted that helping and putting confidence in one another will surely lead Filipinos to prosperous, peaceful, and stronger lives.

“Sana wala nang gutom, wala nang maghihikahos, at wala nang maiiwan sa pagsalubong sa maliwanag na bukas. Iyan po ang hangarin ng inyong pamahalaan. Iyan po ang hangarin ng lahat ng Pilipino (Hoping that there will be no hunger, no impoverishment, and no one will be left behind in welcoming a brighter future. That is the hope of your government. That is the hope of all Filipinos),” said Marcos as an end note. (AAL/AGP/PIA 6)