San Jose de Buenavista, Antique
October 6, 2023

“Mas magiging malakas ang ating puwersa kung sama-sama tayong kikilos tungo sa mas masagana, panatag at matatag na kinabukasan nating lahat,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. conveyed as he vowed to support the Province of Antique in its endeavors toward economic development, including the strengthening of the agricultural sector for the benefit of farmers.

During his visit, the President affirmed the approval of at least PhP13 billion worth of funds under the Rice Farmers Financial Assistance (RFFA) Program, which will provide a subsidy worth PhP5,000 to more than two million farmers, especially during the El Niño season.

President Marcos Jr. also emphasized the need to improve farm-to-market roads to ensure effective management of the flow of products and services throughout the province. As part of this effort, he ordered the immediate rehabilitation of the Paliwan Bridge.

“Seryoso po ang gobyerno sa paglutas ng mga sulirain sa agrikultura, kabilang dito ang pagbaba ng presyo ng ating mga produktong agrikultura,” the President assured the Antiqueños as he led the distribution of 1,000 rice sacks to beneficiaries in the province.

Moreover, the Chief Executive reiterated the government’s commitment to implement stringent measures in order to address the persistent issues of hoarding and smuggling, which pose a threat not only to agriculture but also to the overall economic stability of the country.

“Magsilbi itong babala sa mga smuggler, sa mga hoarder at sindikato diyan. Nasa Bagong Pilipinas na tayo. Hindi na lulusot ang inyong mga lumang estilo. Hindi na pwede ang inyong mga kalokohan ngayon,” he warned.

“Iniimbitahan ko naman ang buong sambayanang Pilipino, kasama kayong mga taga Antique, na maging mapagmatyag at maging katuwang sa pamahalaan sa pagsugpo sa mga salot at mapagsamantalang sa lipunan,” President Marcos Jr. added, concluding his message.

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