“Nagbubuhat po sa kaibuturan ng aking puso, sa ngalan ng aming cooperative, sana po ipagpatuloy po niya ang kanyang suporta sa aming mga maliliit na magsasaka, hindi lamang sa mga babuyan, kundi sa lahat ng antas ng agrikultura, lalung-lalo na sa palay. [From the bottom of my heart, in behalf of our cooperative, we wish that he [PBBM] will continue his support to us small farmers, not only in piggeries, but also in all forms of agriculture, especially rice],” he added.

During the awarding ceremony, Mayor Rene Maglanque emphasized that the various assistance provided to Candabeño farmers will greatly help them improve their livelihood amid challenges of climate change.

“Bilang isang munisipalidad na ang pangunahing kabuhayan ay pagsasaka, ang aming bayan ay nakakapag-ani ng halos 2 milyong sako ng palay o katumbas ng 91 metric tons tuwing dry season…Masaya po ang mga magsasaka ng buong Pampanga at sa bayan ng Candaba sa inyong pagdating kahit nasa sulok ang barangay Mandili, sa pagbibigay ng inyong panahon at atensyon sa kasalukuyang estado ng agrikultura sa aming bayan.[As a municipality whose major source of livelihood is farming, our town can harvest about two million sacks of rice equivalent to 91 metric tons during the dry season… The farmers in the whole Pampanga and in the town of Candaba are happy with your arrival, even though Mandili is a far area, for giving us your time and attention in the current state of agriculture in our town],” he pressed.

Data from Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) revealed that Candaba was the highest rice producer in Pampanga in 2022 at 122,816 metric tons. 

Meanwhile, Marcos pledged that the government will beef up its support to farmers to ensure the development of the Philippines’ agriculture sector.

“Ang ating pagtutulungan na mapaunlad ang ating sektor ng agrikultura ay isa lamang sa mga pangunahing hakbang tungo sa pagbuo ng isang Bagong Pilipinas kung saan walang nagugutom at ang lahat ng masigabong kumikilos para sa mas masaganang kinabukasan. [Our cooperation to improve the agriculture sector is one of the major steps towards the formation of Bagong Pilipinas where no one will be hungry and everyone will resoundingly work for a more abundant future],” he stated.

The country registered a record-high production volume of 20.06 million metric tons of palay in 2023. This is 1.5 percent higher than the 19.76 million metric tons produced in 2022. 

To continue the gains amid the looming El Niño, Marcos underscored that the administration laid out several programs to support the affected farmers.

“Ilan sa mga hakbang na ginagawa natin ngayon ay ang paglikha ng mga binhing umaayon sa paba-bagong klima, gayun din ang pagsasagawa ng climate risk assessments para sa mga nasalantang pamayanan. [One of the steps that we are doing now is the production of seeds which can vie with the changing climate, and the conduct of climate risk assessments for affected communities],” he added.

He will also push for infrastructure development, information dissemination, and strengthen the water irrigation system through the Philippine Solar Irrigation Project and small-scale irrigation projects.  

The Chief Executive furthered that his administration allotted P31 billion under the National Rice Program to intensify the production support, extension services, research and development, and irrigation network services. 

The government will also utilize the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund to strengthen the agriculture sector and to assist farmers while a huge chunk of the fund will be used for the distribution of farming equipment. 

“Sa mga ating mga minamahal na magsasaka, ang inyong dedikasyon, sakripisyo, at sipag ay tunay na nagsilbing inspirasyon sa ating lahat.. Ang inyong mga kamay  na masigasig na nagbubungkal ng lupang inyong sinasaka ang siyang nagbibigay ng buhay at sigla sa ating sambayanan.[To our beloved farmers, your dedication, sacrifices, and hard work truly serve as inspiration to everyone… Your hands which zealously plows the soil are what give life and enthusiasm to our society],” he added.

Farmers will also be introduced to modern farming through PhilRice, Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization, Agricultural Training Institute, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. (CLJD/JLDC-PIA 3)