SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA) — Farmers in this province have expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for the nearly P33 million worth of projects, machinery, and equipment they received.
During the “Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Tapat Para sa Lahat” event here on Sept. 13, in celebration of President Marcos’ birthday, Governor Rhodora Cadiao and officials from the Department of Agriculture (DA) led the ceremonial turnover of various aid to the farmer-beneficiaries.
One of the beneficiary organizations is the Kalipunan ng Magsasaka sa Patnongon (KAMAPAT) Agriculture Cooperative, which received a unit of corn combine harvester valued at over P2 million.
KAMAPAT Vice President Tranquilino Pillado Jr. said that the corn combine harvester has greatly improved their farm output.
He noted that the use of technologies such as this has increased their farming efficiency, reduced production costs, and enabled faster harvesting compared to traditional or manual means.
Pillado thanked President Marcos for looking after the welfare of farmers like him who have benefited greatly from the government’s agriculture programs.
“Ako nagapasalamat gid sa Department of Agriculture kag kay Presidente nga nagpatigayon kang dyang programa kag nagtugro kang combine harvester para sa mais,” he said.
(I am thankful to the Department of Agriculture and the President for facilitating this program and providing us with a corn combine harvester.)
Pillado also did not forget to greet the President on his special day.
“Ginapalab-ot ko man ang amon pagpanamyaw sa kaadlawan kang Presidente. Happy Birthday, Mr. President.”
(I extend our greetings to the president on his birthday. Happy Birthday, Mr. President.)
Another aid recipient is the Sibalom Mango Growers Association (SMGA), which obtained five units of electric power sprayers from the DA.
SMGA President Mansueto Marquez said that the equipment units have been very helpful in efficiently applying pesticides to their mango trees.
Marquez thanked President Marcos and the DA for their support to farmers through machinery and equipment that boost productivity, save time and resources, and minimize the effects of labor shortages.
“On behalf kang amon asosasyon, nagapasalamat gid ako nga ginbuligan mo kami. Duro-duro gid nga salamat,” he said.
(On behalf of our association, I thank you for your help. Thank you very much!)
Apart from machinery and equipment, Marquez added that capital and marketing support also promise a positive impact on the business ventures of the farmers.
Other farming machinery and equipment distributed during the “Handog ng Pangulo: Serbisyong Tapat Para sa Lahat” event were mini-chainsaws, plastic crates, a recirculating dryer, soil ameliorants, hybrid rice seeds, and a hand tractor, among others.
Meanwhile, some of the farm projects that were turned over were goat multiplier farms and forage cuttings and seeds for forage and pasture development for San Jose Multi-Purpose Cooperative and Nasuli, Iba, Casay, San Francisco (NICS) Multi-Purpose Cooperative.
For her part, Gov. Cadiao conveyed her heartfelt thanks to the President for his commitment to ensuring the continued flow of support and assistance to the province to alleviate the lives of the Antiqueños. (AGP/BPS/PIA Antique)
