Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte
September 29, 2023

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. paid a visit to Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte to continue the distribution of the smuggled premium rice confiscated by the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

Addressing the beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), the President expressed the Administration’s firm commitment not only to strengthen food security and address the challenges in the agricultural sector, but also to combat the smuggling and hoarding of rice.

The sacks of rice distributed during the program are among the 42,180 smuggled sacks of rice worth PhP42 million forfeited by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) during its warehouse raid this September in Zamboanga City.

President Marcos Jr. reassured that the government is relentless in undertaking initiatives to achieve its development goals, especially in addressing hunger and ensuring food security in the country.

“Patuloy po ang inyong pamahalan, patuloy po kami na naghahanap ng kahit anong magawa upang tumulong sa inyo na maabot natin ang aking pangarap na wala nang gutom sa Pilipinas,” he conveyed.

“Kami po ay nandito, naghahanap kami ng lahat ng paraan upang tumulong. Asahan po ninyo na ang inyong pamahalaan ay nandito, nakikinig po sa inyo, nakikinig po sa pangangailangan ninyo at gagawin ang lahat upang mabigay sa inyo ang tulong na kinakailangan ninyo,” the Chief Executive concluded his message.

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