Batangas City, Batangas
16 March 2016

President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed his contentment on the priority projects that brought positive changes in Batangas for the past years of his administration as he faced several leaders and the community in the province.

Projects regarding infrastructure and agriculture were among those highlighted by President Aquino, in which he reiterated that during the past six years of his leadership, Batangas was not left behind. Among the evident proofs of the boost in the province’s infrastructure sector are the major roads, which include the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) Project, Lipa-Alaminos Road, Bauan-Mabini Circumferential Road, and Lake Taal Circumferential Road. According to the President, PhP 16.66 billion was allotted in Batangas to construct not just major roads, but streets, ports, and flood control projects as well.

In the agriculture sector, President Aquino affirmed the support of his administration to thousands of Filipino farmers by allocating PhP 1.6 billion to fund the construction of farm-to-market roads and irrigation system. Moreover, PhP 75.88 million was given to support post harvest machineries and equipment that will help farmers with other crops such as coconut and sugarcanes.

“Malinaw po, sa Daang Matuwid, di tayo umaasa sa tsamba. Stratehiko at sabay-sabay nating tinutugunan ang mga problema upang di na ito maipamana pa sa susunod sa atin. Basta’t may totoong pangangailangan at pakinabang, hindi natin ipagkakait sa ating mga Boss,” President Aquino said.

Likewise, he highlighted one of the flagship projects of his government, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps. As of today, 7.7 million individuals were lifted from the poverty line. This includes the 149,900 beneficiaries in Cebu, 59,222 beneficiaries in Bohol, 50,827 beneficiaries in Cavite, and 86,592 beneficiaries in Batangas.

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