Marcos vows to boost agri sector in Bohol to help PH economy

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his speaking engagement for the “Trabaho Para Sa Bayan” (Jobs for the People) program at the Manila Hotel on June 27, 2024. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday vowed to boost the agricultural sector in the province of Bohol, which he said, would in turn improve the country’s economy.

Marcos made the pronouncement during the government’s continued effort to provide assistance to farmers, fisherfolk and families affected by the El Niño crisis, this time at Carlos P. Garcia Sports Complex in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

“Maliban sa turismo, ang pagsasaka, at pangingisda ang ilan pa sa pangunahing industriya dito sa Bohol, at sa angking yaman inyong mga lupa at karagatan, isa sa hangarin ng administrasyon ko ay palaguin ang pagsasaka at pangingisda sa inyong lalawigan,” said Marcos in a speech.

(Apart from tourism, farming and fishing are some of the main industries here in Bohol, and with the wealth of your lands and oceans, one of the goals of my administration is to grow farming and fishing in your province.)

“…nang sa gayon [ay] umunlad din ang ating ekonomiya (so that our economy may also develop),” he added.

READ: Marcos vows more farm aid to help fight El Niño

Meanwhile, the President expressed hope that the country would not experience further destructive calamities this year, assuring the public of prompt government presence in times of disaster.

“Tayo ay naglaan ng pondo, mga food pack, at iba pa, mga ayuda kung kinakailangan (we have allocated funds, food packs, and other, aids if needed),” he said.

He then called for strong collaborations between the local and national governments to achieve common goals.

“Sa mga pinuno ng mga ahensya ng pamahalaang nasyonal at lokal, hinihiling ko ang inyong pakikiisa upang makamit natin ang hangarin natin na walang maiiwan sa paglalakbay tungo sa mas maliwanag at mas maunlad na bukas. Tiyakin po natin na [makararating] sa lahat ng benepisyaryo ang tulong na inilalaan natin para sa kanila,” the he said.

(To the leaders of national and local government agencies, I ask for your solidarity so that we can achieve our goal of leaving no one behind in the journey to a brighter and more prosperous tomorrow. Let’s make sure that all the beneficiaries will receive the help we allocate for them.)

In the distribution, P50 million worth of cash assistance was provided each in the provincial governments of Bohol and Cebu.

On top of the said assistance,  the Department of Agriculture also distributed two four-wheel drive tractors, fertilizers, sacks of rice and corn seeds, coconut seedlings, and various farm tools.

The Department of Trade Industry, for its part, provided livelihood kits worth P8,000 for nine former rebels through the Pangkabuhayan sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa (PPG) Program.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) also extended over P2.3 million to more than 100 beneficiaries of the Integrated Livelihood Program, and more than P1.8 million to almost 400 beneficiaries of the TUPAD program.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives also provided five kilos of rice to each of the attendees.