ILOILO CITY (PIA6) – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday,Oct. 6 urged Capizeños to be vigilant against rice smugglers and hoarders, citing that their illegal activities have negatively affected the nation’s economy.

“Higit sa lahat, makilahok sa pagbabantay sa ating lipunan. Marami pa rin po tayong malaking nakakapanloko ng kapwa kagaya ng nakakagalit na mga smuggler at hoarder na yan. Nasisira ang daloy ng merkado kaya tumataas ang presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin dahil sa kanilang mga iligal na gawain (Importantly, you need to participate in securing our society. There are still a lot of scammers, like those smugglers and hoarders. Their illegal activities have disrupted the situation of the economy, which resulted in the increase in prices of basic commodities),” the President said.

The President stressed that he already coordinated with Congress to push for the amendment of laws, pushing for the criminalization of Agricultural Economic Sabotage, which would impose heavier punishment on offenders.

So, if you know someone who are involved in the said activities, don’t be afraid to tell the authorities.),” he added.

President Marcos was in Villareal Stadium at Capiz to lead the distribution of various government assistance and programs to different beneficiaries. These include assistance from the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC), Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Health (DOH), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

A total of 1,000 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries received 25 kilos of rice each.

DSWD-6 data revealed that the livelihood of the 679 households from among the beneficiaries has also been affected by the toxic red tide contaminating the coastal waters of the province since late August 2022.

The DSWD released P1.785 million worth of Seed Capital Funds to six organized Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) associations in the province. These associations, with a total of 122 members, are engaged in catfish and balot production, retailing, community enterprise, and abaca trading.

The PCA also gave certificates of entitlement of 8,580 hybrid coconut seedlings estimated at P4.2 million to 63 coconut farmers. The hybrid coconut variety, also known as PCA 15-9, is a cross between the Tacunan Dwarf and the Tagnanan Tall varieties. Its nut size is medium to large and copra per nut is about 286 to 303 grams.

 its Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), gave P300,000 to certified Learning Sites for Agriculture in Capiz, namely Chandy’s Integrated Farm in Panit-an and Disirie Integrated Farms in Panay town.

Marcos also led the distribution of P12,887,705 from the PCIC to the 2,151 affected farmers, fisherfolks, and hog raisers in the province who are under the Registry System For Basic Sectors In Agriculture (RSBSA) and beneficiaries of the Free Crop Insurance program.

Meanwhile, Capiz Gov. Fredenil H. Castro expressed his gratitude to the President, noting that the assistance will ease the economic struggles of the locals.

“Iyayaman po namin ang inyong pagdating dito at amin pong isasapuso na merong pangulo ang Pilipinas na nakakarinig ang nakakakita sa amin (We will be enriched with your visit and we will always remember in our hearts that there is a President of the Philippines that has seen and heard us.),” Castro said.

The President, in return, has assured the public that the government will continue its best to uplift the lives of Filipinos by strengthening the agriculture sector and other key factors that are beneficial in boosting the economic situation of the country.

“Masaya po ako na makitang maraming natutulungan ang ating mga proyekto. Ibig sabihin lamang po nito ay tama ang tinutungo ng ating direksyon para sa pamumuno. Ang hiling ko lamang po ay lalo ninyong pag-ibayuhin ang inyong sipag at tiyaga upang sa gayon ay mapabuti ninyo ang inyong buhay, at makatulong sa ibang mga Pilipinong kailangan din ng kaagapay (I am elated to see that a lot benefited our project.  This means, that our administration is on the right direction.  My only wish is you continue to labor and work hard to improve your lives, and help others who also needs help.),” Marcos added. (AAL/JNH/PIA6 Iloilo)