Various government projects, including farm-to-market roads, were implemented by the government to uplift the lives of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Eastern Visayas, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. declared Monday.
In his speech during the awarding of land titles and support services to ARBs in Tacloban City, President Marcos said his administration will not only distribute land titles but will also provide various services to farmers.
The President said the services include easy access to agrarian loans, distribution of farm equipment, and the construction of farm-to-market roads (FRMs) valued at PhP350 million.
FMRs are being constructed in Cabarasan Daku-San Agustin and San Agustin-Cangumbang both in Palo, Leyte, Brgy. Kawayan-Sto. Niño and Crossing San Roque-Sitio Kulapniton, both in Tacloban City.
“‘Pag natapos na ito ay siguradong lalago ang sektor ng agrikultura dito sa iba’t ibang karatig na probinsya,” President Marcos told thousands of ARBs gathered at the Tacloban City Convention Center.
Aside from constructing FMRs, President Marcos said the administration has also implemented the Pang-agraryong Tulay para sa Bagong Bayanihan ng mga Magsasaka (PBBM Bridges) with an allotment of around PhP78 million for the construction of bridges in Southern Leyte, Samar and Eastern Samar.
The San Roque-Dayanog Bridge, Sigo Bridge, Barral 2 Bridge and Cambukol Bridge are part of the PBBM Bridges.
“Sa pamamagitan ng mga tulay na ito, masisigurong ligtas at mas mabilis na madadala ang mga ani at kalakal ng ating mga magsasaka sa merkado,” President Marcos said.
The President also noted that the government has also allotted around PhP71 million irrigation projects as part of the government’s intervention to the El Niño phenomenon affecting agricultural lands.
The projects include the Cabibihan Small Irrigation Project in Biliran, the Solar Powered Pump Scheme and construction of irrigation facilities in Catubig, Northern Samar, and the ongoing construction of the Himay-angan Small Irrigation Project in Southern Leyte.
President Marcos added the government has also provided more than 2,000 machineries and other equipment worth PhP10.28 million to 1,694 beneficiaries in Eastern Visayas.
“Dagdag po pa rito, sinisiguro ng DAR na may pautang pang-agrikultura na maaaring lapitan ng ating mga magsasaka para makapagsimula ng maliit na negosyo at mapaunlad ang kanilang kabuhayan,” President Marcos said.
“Inutusan ko rin po ang ating DAR na makipagtulungan sa ibang ahensya ng gobyerno, tulad ng DSWD, ng DOLE, upang makapagbigay pa ng mas malaki na tulong at serbisyo sa ating mga magsasaka,” he added.
“Talaga naman, siksik, liglig, at nag-uumapaw ang mga dala naming serbisyo sa inyo. Ang mga ito ay hindi lamang para sa pagpataas ng inyong ani. Ito rin ay naglalayong paghusayin ang kalidad ng inyong buhay.” he stated. PND
