SAN JOSE, Antique (PIA) — During the visit of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to the Province of Antique on June 27, Senator Loren Legarda lauded the President with his initiative, the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolks, and their Families (PAFFF).
Legarda thanked the Marcos for his love and compassion to her kasimanwas (fellow Antiqueños) and for bringing PAFFF which is seen to boost the morale of this sector and stir them towards further development.
“Nararapat lamang po na ilapit natin ang mga programa ng pamahalaan sa ating mga kababayan sa probinsya upang maramdaman nilang kasama at kasabay natin sila sa pag-unlad at hindi sila napag-iiwanan,”she stated.
(It is but right that we bring the programs of the government closer to the people in the provinces so they will feel that we journey with them towards progress and no one will be left behind.)
Legarda also expressed her sincerest gratitude to the national government for continuously upholding the welfare of many Filipinos amidst various issues impacting the country’s economy.
She cited the millions worth of assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Agriculture, and other agencies of government that have poured their resources into the province just to uplift the living conditions of poor families.
Speaking before thousands of farmers and fisherfolk, Legarda also committed to sustain the support she is giving this sector to uplift their living conditions.
Understanding the importance of agriculture and fisheries in sustaining the livelihood of her kasimanwas (fellow Antiqueños), she reiterated her commitment to prioritize the development of farmers and fisherfolk in the further growth of the country’s economic standing.
“Bilang isa sa mga kinatawan sa Senado ng mga probinsya sa Panay Island, prayoridad natin ang pagtulong sa ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Maliban sa tulong pinansyal, patuloy po nating sinisiguro na may sapat na pondo upang mapagkalooban sila ng mga kagamitan at makinarya na malaki ang maitutulong sa kanilang produksyon,” the senator said.
(As your representative in the Senate from the provinces in Panay, I have prioritized helping our farmers and fisherfolk. Aside from financial support, let us continue to ensure that we have enough funds to grant equipment and machinery that would greatly help boost their production.)
As a staunch advocate for an empowered community through the provision of livelihood, Legarda has provided various assistance to her home province in many years of public service.
These include the construction of fish landing and processing centers and the distribution of fishing boats for fisherfolk and poultry and livestock for farmers.
Legarda however recognized that the farmers and fisherfolk remain one of the sectors that experience poverty despite their hard work and sacrifices to feed the entire country. (ED/AGP/PSM/SLL/PIA Antique)
