Marcos wishes for improved PH agri sector on 67th birthday

On his 67th birthday, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. wishes for an improved agriculture sector in the Philippines so that local farmers and their families could lead better lives.

Marcos, who once served as Agriculture chief, expressed his birthday wish in Nueva Ecija at the launch of the Agri-Puhunan at Pantawid (APP) program and the distribution of Certificates of Condonation in Agriculture and turnover of Agri Credit Assistance.

"Birthday wish? Marami ito na talagang lahat ng bawat magsasaka sa Pilipinas maramdaman itong programang ito at lahat ng programa na ginagawa sa DA (Department of Agriculture), lahat ng ginagawa natin sa... pagtulong ng DBP (Development Bank of the Philippines), lahat ng mga financing institution, lahat po iyong buong sistema ng agrikultura... ay ang birthday wish ko, mabuo na natin para maganda ang takbo ng sektor ng agrikultura para gumanda ang buhay ng bawat magsasaka ng kanilang pamilya at ng bawat Pilipino," Marcos told reporters.

(Birthday wish? There are really many—, that all farmers in the Philippines will feel the benefits of this program and all the other programs of the DA, with the assistance from the DBP and other financing institutions, and the entire agricultural system... my birthday wish is that we complete all of these to improve the agriculture sector to improve the lives of farmers, their families, and every Filipino.)

The President has once deemed farmers as among the unsung heroes of the Philippines.

The Marcos administration launched in Guimba, Nueva Ecija the Agri-Puhunan at Pantawid Program, a credit facility that offers low-interest loans, with the aim to help farmers access necessary funds for their agricultural needs.

Marcos also led the turnover of essential farm machinery and equipment to beneficiaries from Central Luzon.

The DA said that together with the Development Bank of the Philippines, it has secured an initial P3-billion funding for the low-interest loans and subsistence allowance for farmers.

According to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., the APP program is aligned with the administration's goal to make farming more bankable, attract more investments, nurture a new generation of farmers by improving their living conditions, and ensure national food security and sustainability in the country.

The DA has inked deals with Planters Products Inc. and the Development Bank of the Philippines to facilitate the seamless implementation of the program.

The Agriculture department said a beneficiary of the APP program who plants rice on one hectare of land will receive a net amount of P58,000, covering production overhead—inputs, land preparation, and hauling, including a subsistence allowance of P32,000.

The agency said that for the subsistence allowance, a total of P8,000 will be given monthly for four months to the beneficiary farmer and shall be covered with crop insurance.

Aside from agriculture aid, Marcos also promised medical assistance for the public on his birthday.

"Layunin din po namin na matulungan ang ating mga kababayan na may pangangailangang medikal. Kaya po sa araw na ito, sasagutin po natin ang lahat ng bayarin ng mga pasyente sa lahat ng pampublikong Level 3 hospital sa bansa katulad ng Dr. Paulino Garcia Memorial Hospital dito sa inyo," Marcos said in his speech.

(It's also our goal to help the public with their medical needs. On this day, we will shoulder all the expenses of patients in all public Level 3 hospitals across the country just like the Dr. Paulino Garcia Memorial Hospital here in your area.)

Mini trade and job fairs will also be offered by the government, Marcos said. — VDV, GMA Integrated News