RoyP PBBM’s assistance to farmers, fisherfolk to bring down food prices - Speaker

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Thursday lauded President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s program that extends direct financial assistance to farmers and fisherfolk throughout the country.

The leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives made the remark before the President distributed cash aid to about 10,000 beneficiaries under his Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk (PAFF) program.

The distribution took place at the Edward S. Hagedorn Coliseum in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. The recipients were from Palawan and the neighboring province of Marinduque.

House members led by Palawan Rep. Jose Alvarez and local officials, including Palawan Gov. Victorino Dennis Socrates and Vice Gov. Leoncio Ola, Marinduque Gov. Presbitero Velasco Jr., and Puerto Princesa City Mayor Lucilo Bayron attended the event.

In the process of introducing President Marcos, Speaker Romualdez explained the rationale behind the financial assistance program for farmers and fisherfolk.

“Kayo po - ang ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda - ang nagpapakain at bumubuhay sa buong bansa. Obligasyon ng ating gobyerno na tiyaking busog din lagi ang inyong mga pamilya at may maliwanag na kinabukasan para sa inyong mga anak,” he told the beneficiaries.

“Sa pagbibigay ng suporta sa inyo, mapapalakas natin ang produksyon ng pagkain at masisiguro na abot-kaya ang presyo ng mga ito para sa ating mamamayan,” he said.

Speaker Romualdez assured President Marcos, Jr. of the continuing support of the House of Representatives for his visionary programs that continue to help every Filipino. 

“We are very, very proud to be working under your leadership. I assure you, in the upcoming budget, these programs and projects of yours will be fully supported by the House of Representatives,” he said. 

Speaker Romualdez expressed optimism the program would lead to increased production and decreased importation.

“Ang misyon ng ating Pangulo: malaking kita para sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda, mataas na produksyon ng pagkain para hindi na tayo mag-import nito mula sa ibang bansa, at maayos na supply chain para maging abot-kaya ang presyo ng inyong mga produkto sa merkado,” he added.

The House leader pointed out that the program intends to help all farmers and fisherfolk all over the country.

“Ang programang ito ay ang Presidential Assistance To Farmers and Fisherfolk o PAFF na laan para sa lahat ng magsasaka at mangingisda sa buong bansa. Ito ay bahagi ng pagsisikap ng gobyerno na palakasin ang sektor ng agrikultura at pangingisda,” he said.

“Layunin ng inyong gobyerno hindi lamang ang magbigay ng direktang tulong at suporta sa ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Misyon din naming lahat na paghusayin ang imprastruktura para sa inyong sektor. Dadalhin din natin ang mga makabagong pamamaraan sa pagsasaka at pangingisda upang tumaas ang produksyon sa buong bansa,” the Speaker said.

He told Palaweños that the President made sure that Palawan was among the first provinces that would benefit from the program because of its natural resources.

“Siniguro ng ating Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. na isa ang Palawan sa unang mabibigyan ng pagkakataon na mapaunlad ang agrikultura at pangingisda. Alam nating lahat na ang Palawan ay kilala sa kanyang masaganang likas na yaman at magagandang tanawin, kaya't dapat lamang na bigyang pansin ang potensiyal nito sa kaunlaran,” he said.

Speaker Romualdez is also the concurrent caretaker of the First and Third District of the province of Palawan. 

He urged intended beneficiaries and the people in general to support the program.

“Mga kababayan ko dito sa Palawan, ang PAFF program ay para sa bawat Pilipino na nagnanais ng mas maginhawang buhay at masaganang ani. Magtulungan tayo at suportahan ang programa na ito para sa mas masaganang Pilipinas,” he said.

“Naparito ang panauhin natin ngayon para dalhin ang biyayang hatid ng gobyerno direkta sa inyong lahat,” he said, referring to President BBM. (END)

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RoyPe Aid caravan serves over 16,000 disadvantaged Leytenos, completes coverage of 1st District

The aid caravan initiated by the Office of Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez has provided various aid packages to 16,114 Leytenos as of today as it continues to deliver assistance to disadvantaged residents of the province. 

This developed as the aid caravan rolled out aid benefits to 2,000 qualified residents of the municipality of San Miguel, Leyte under the Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displace Workers (TUPAD) during a payout held Tuesday morning at the town’s gym. 

Each beneficiary received P4,050 for 10 days of work under the emergency employment program, or a total of P8.1 million in cash aid. 

“We remain committed to delivering targeted assistance to our citizens in need, particularly in the province of Leyte, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s vision for ‘Bagong Pilipinas’,” said Speaker Romualdez, leader of the 300-plus strong House of Representatives. 

The San Miguel aid payout was led by Atty. Mark Reyes, District Chief of Staff of Speaker Romualdez, in cooperation with the Department of Labor and Employment, represented by DOLE North Leyte Field Office head Engr. Emmanuel Dela Cruz. 

They were assisted by San Miguel Mayor Norman Sabdao and several members of the municipal council. 

Meanwhile, the aid caravan also marked a milestone with the San Miguel assistance rollout as it completed coverage of the entire First District of Leyte, which Speaker Romualdez represents. 

Leyte’s First District includes Tacloban City and the municipalities of Tanauan, Babatngon, Sta. Fe, Alangalang, Tolosa, and San Miguel.

Now on its second week, the Leyte aid caravan has also delivered to date a total of P72.94 million worth of assistance to qualified beneficiaries in the province. 

The Leyte aid caravan which includes the distribution of benefits under the CARD, TUPAD and AKAP programs kicked off last July 9 at the People’s Center in Tacloban City and the town of Babatngon, followed by CARD payout in the municipality of Tanauan on the next day. 

On July 11, the aid caravan rolled out benefit packages for qualified residents of Brgy. 94 Tigbao, Tacloban and in the municipality of Tolosa. It wrapped up the first week with aid rollout in Brgy. 96, Calanipawan, Tacloban City and at the town of Sta. Fe on July 12. 

On July 15, the aid caravan returned to Tacloban City with a payout at Brgy. 96 Calanipawan held simultaneous with an assistance distribution in Alangalang. 

The aid caravan is slated to continue its delivery of aid packages to qualified residents of Leyte up to July 19. (END)