Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Friday pulled all the stops for the benefit of farmers in Quezon province and beyond–a sector that he obviously holds in high regard.
This was evident during the Agriculture convergence event, consisting of the district launch of Farmers Assistance for Recovery and Modernization (FARM) and payout of assistance under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay Para sa Ating Disadvantage and Displaced Workers (TUPAD) held in Tiaong, Quezon on Friday.
Romualdez, leader of the 308-strong House of Representatives, was invited to the landmark event as guest of honor and keynote speaker by Deputy Speaker and Quezon Rep. David Suarez.
“We still have many partners in the aspiration to grow our agricultural sector. There is the National Food Authority (NFA) that we are helping in the House of Representatives to be able to resell the rice they bought from you directly to our people,” the Speaker said in his speech.
Romualdez was referring to a House-approved measure that seeks to amend the five-year-old Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) in a bid to give much-needed relief to both consumers and farmers.He said these initiatives and related measures manifest the unwavering commitment of the House of Representatives to support the vision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. aimed at revitalizing the country’s agriculture sector and uplift the lives of Filipino farmers.
The highlight of Friday’s event was the distribution of cash aid to local farmers through the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.
Nearly 4,000 farmers received TUPAD payouts during simple rites at the Tiaong Convention Center.
“It is a joy to be here with you today on this occasion. The TUPAD program presented to you today is just one of the initiatives of the Administration of our beloved President Bongbong Marcos Jr.,” Romualdez told the event’s attendees.
He also said the TUPAD distribution was done in recognition of the importance of the agriculture sector. He specifically pointed to the farmers’ sheer efforts to make sure that Filipino families have food on their table.
Romualdez and Deputy Speaker Suarez also led the distribution of farm machinery to qualified farmer beneficiaries in the province.
The Speaker underscored that the Marcos administration had more assistance in store for the farmers. He cited Quezon, in particular, as the country’s sixth largest province and one of its top crop producers.
Romualdez bared that his office has also coordinated with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for the farmers to avail of the Farmer’s Assistance for Recovery and Modernization or FARM.