Some 10,000 agriculture sector workers from the provinces of Palawan and Marinduque on Thursday received direct financial assistance courtesy of the Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk (PAFF) program.
President Marcos and House Speaker Martin Romualdez led the distribution of cash aid to the intended beneficiaries during ceremonies at the Edward S. Hagedorn Coliseum in Puerto Princesa City.
During the event, Romuladez told the recipients that the financial assistance is the administration’s way of giving back for all their contributions to ensuring food security in the country.
“You – our farmers and fishermen – feed and sustain the entire country. It is our government’s obligation to ensure that your families are always fed and that there is a bright future for your children,” the Speaker said in Filipino.
“By giving you support, we will be able to boost food production and ensure that their prices are affordable for our people,” he added.
Palawan Gov. Victorino Dennis Socrates, Vice Gov. Leoncio Ola, Second District Rep. Jose Alvarez, and Puerto Princesa City Mayor Lucilo Bayron were present at the event. Marinduque Gov. Presbitero Velasco Jr. also witnessed the PAFF distribution.
In his speech, Romualdez vowed to support Marcos administration initiatives aimed at providing support to financially-struggling families, such as the PAFF.
“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 told the President.
Romualdez is the concurrent caretaker of the first and third Districts of Palawan following the recent deaths of Reps. Edgardo Salvame and Edward Hegedorn.
Meanwhile, Romualdez thanked Filipinos for their continued increase in his trust ratings as indicated by the latest Pulse Asia survey for the month of June this year.
“We are happy to know that the confidence of the Filipino people in our ability as the leader of the Congress continues to grow. These results are a clear affirmation of the diligent work and dedication demonstrated by my colleagues here at the House of Representatives,” Romualdez said in a statement.
“Leading this esteemed institution has been an honor, and your continued trust inspires us to strive for excellence in all our endeavors. The welfare of the Filipino people remains our top priority,” he said.
