By Lilibeth French
BACOLOD City – President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr. today, October 23, turned over a total of P88 million worth of checks to farmer organizations and distributed palay seeds and equipment in Negros Occidental.
In a brief stopover in Talisay City, President Marcos awarded the checks to leaders and representatives of the nine farmers’ organizations under the Philippine Rural Development Project of the Department of Agriculture (DA) benefiting 1,835 farmers from the different municipalities and cities of Negros Occidental.
Also, during the event, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson received from President Marcos the Certificate of Award for the palay seeds intended for 100 farmers in the province under the DA’s Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund. Around 52,249 hectares are covered by the assistance for planting.
Among the government’s assistance that was distributed is the Department of Agriculture projects worth P96,626,092.64.
Beneficiaries of the said project were nine enterprises in Negros occidental six of which are under the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP) and three under the Special Areas for Agricultural Development Program (SAAD). Each project has a total cost of P88,950,592.64 and P7,675,500, respectively.
The President also distributed 104,498 bags of palay seeds to 100 farmers in Negros Occidental. This is under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund with a project cost of P79,418,480.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also gave its financial assistance worth P500,000.00 under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) Program to 100 qualified beneficiaries in Bacolod City.
The President will also be the guest of honor at the Arena Dance competition as part of the Masskara Festival’s highlight at the Paglaum Sports Complex in Bacolod City and will likewise lead the inauguration of the Upper East and the Unveiling of the Township Marker amid the Masskara revelers and merrymakers sounds and sights.
In his message, President Marcos said he ensures that assistance from the government reaches the people when he visits the different places in the country.
“Pag ako’y umiikot at pumupunta sa iba’t-ibang lugar tinitiyak ko na ang inyong inaasahang tulong galing sa
gobyerno ay tuloy-tuloy ang parating sa taong bayan at kaya kami nandito para tiyakin na maging maayos ang distribusyon at lahat ng mga nangangailangan ay makakatanggap,” said Marcos as he noted the hard life now due to high prices.
The President was assisted by Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Alberto Benitez, Talisay City Mayor Niel Lizares and representatives of the Department of Agriculture during the distribution.
President Marcos was invited to attend the culmination of the Bacolod’s Masskara Festival. (PIA)
