Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez assisted by Deputy Speaker and Quezon 2nd District Rep. David "Jayjay" Suarez, Alona Partylist Rep. Ana Marie Villaraza- Suarez and Tiaong Mayor Vincent Arjay Mea leads the distribution of Farmers Assistance for Recovery and Modernization (FARM) and Tulong Panghanapbuhay Para sa Ating Disadvantage and Displaced Workers (TUPAD) to about 4,000 beneficiaries at the Tiaong Convention Center in Tiaong Quezon Friday afternoon.
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.
Speaker Romualdez, leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives, was invited to the landmark event as guest of honor and keynote speaker by Deputy Speaker and Quezon 2nd District Rep. David “Jay-jay” Suarez.
“Marami pa po tayong mga kasama sa adhikaing mapalago ang ating sektor ng agrikultura. Nariyan ang National Food Authority (NFA) na tinutulungan namin sa Kamara de Representante na muling makapag-benta ng bigas na kanilang binili sa inyo direkta sa ating mga kababayan,” the Speaker said in his speech.
Speaker 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 this 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.
“Isang kagalakan na makasama kayo dito ngayon sa okasyong ito. Ang programang TUPAD na ipina-abot sa inyo ngayon ay isa lamang po sa mga inisyatibo ng Administrasyon ng ating mahal na Pangulong Bongbong Marcos Jr.,” Speaker Romualdez told the event’s attendees.
He said the TUPAD distribution was done in recognition of the importance of the agriculture sector. He specifically pointed to the farmers’ sheer efforts in making sure that Filipino families have food on their table.
“Hindi po nalalayo ang magsasakang Pilipino sa puso ng ating liderato. Kaya nga po’t nabuo ang ganitong mga convergence event,” noted Speaker Romualdez, President Marcos’ top lieutenant in the legislature.
Speaker Romualdez and Deputy Speaker Suarez also led the distribution of farm machineries 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.
“Bukod dito sa programang TUPAD, na pinangangasiwaan ng DOLE, nariyan din po ang Department of Agriculture (DA), National Irrigation Administration (NIA) at Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) para masiguro na may sapat na tubig ang ang inyong mga pananim,” he said.
“Kamakailan lang ay nanggaling kami sa Isabela, kasama ang Pangulong Marcos upang pasinayaan ang pagbubukas ng sistema ng patubig na gumagamit ng solar power,” added Speaker Romualdez.
Speaker 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.
“Ilan lamang po ito sa mga hakbang ng pamahalaan na nagsisilbing matibay na patunay na sa ilalim ng Administrasyong Marcos. Ang ating misyon: walang maiiwan sa ating pagbangon tungo sa mas magandang bukas. Kasama po ang lahat sa pag-unlad,” he said.
