San Jose, Dinagat Islands
September 29, 2023
“Dapat lagi nating alalahanin na ‘Build, Back, Better’ na mas maganda ‘yung pumalit doon sa nasira… Alam naman natin sa nagbabagong panahon, may climate change na tinatawag, ay kailangang paghandaan na natin,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. conveyed as he reassured the Administration’s commitment to provide full support to the people of Dinagat Islands towards economic recovery and stability amidst the effects of climate change in the province in recent years.
The President made these remarks during his visit to Dinagat Islands, where he vowed to extend assistance to all Dinagatnons in terms of infrastructure, accessibility, and connectivity development. This also includes the strengthening of the tourism sector to boost economic activities on the island.
“Kaya’t hindi lamang ang pag-recover ng mga nasirang mga building… kundi meron na tayong plano para sa tourism industry ng Dinagat. Kaya ‘yung connectivity na tinatawag, para mas mabilis makabisita ang mga tao dito,” President Marcos Jr. remarked, noting the importance of rehabilitating the effects of Typhoon Odette that devastated the province in 2021.
“Iyan po ang mga pinaplano natin. Hindi lang makarecover sa dati, noong sitwasyon bago ang Typhoon Odette, kung hindi pagagandahin pa natin,” he added.
Likewise, the Chief Executive reiterated the government’s efforts to strengthen food security in the country as he led the distribution of smuggled premium quality rice to the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
He emphasized his marching orders to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to go after hoarders and smugglers to address the impacts of these illegal activities on the country’s agricultural sector. Recently, the BOC confiscated 42,180 smuggled sacks of rice valued at PhP42 million in Zamboanga City. These forfeited rice sacks were donated to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for distribution to its beneficiaries.
“Kailangan po lahat ng ahensya ng pamahalaan ay nagtutulungan, kaya ganito po ang nangyari dito tungkol sa bigas at patuloy natin pong gagawin ‘yan,” President Marcos Jr. assured.
“Ang pamahalaan ninyo ay walang tigil, walang pagod na iniisip kung paano kayo matutulungan. Tinitignan kung saan, kung sino-sino sa ating mga kababayan ang talagang nangangailangan. Ano ‘yung tulong na kinakailangan, nakikinig po kami sa inyo,” he concluded.
* * *