• President Duterte plans to revive Marcos’ Agri, fishing programs
• President Duterte to focus on agriculture, health and education



Speaking before Cagayanons during his visit to the typhoon-ravaged province, the President expressed admiration for Marcos’ agriculture and fishery programs which secured the country’s food supply.

He said he wants to reintroduce the establishment of small cooperatives in the country side which were implemented during Marcos’ time.

Once his economic tie up with China materializes following his visit, it could boost the country’s economy particularly the agriculture sector. China pledged $13 billion in loan for the country which is equivalent to around P700 billion.

“Iyon ‘yung ipinangako ng China na tutulong sa atin. Ako po’y nagpunta doon, wala ho kaming pinag-usapang armas, wala ho kaming pinag-usapang gyera-gyera o maglagay ng… Pinag-usapan namin kung papaano tayo magtulungan,” he said.

“We’ll just wait for a few more days. Baka makabalik na tayo doon sa Scarborough Shoal, ang pangingisda ng ating mga kababayan,” he added.

The President will visit Japan from October 25-27 and hopes that the Asian economic giant also provide the Philippines soft loans.

President Duterte arrived here on Sunday to assess the devastation brought about the Typhoon Lawin which, according to authorities, damaged many houses, infrastructure and the region’s agriculture sector.

There is no report of casualty in Cagayan as a result of the typhoon but local government units evacuated more than 31,000 families in Regions I, II, III and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

The President reported releasing 20,153 bags of certified rice seeds, 3,500 bags of certified corn seeds, and more than 1,000 kilograms of assorted vegetable seeds to Cagayan farmers.

Cagayan officials thanked the President for visiting the province and providing relief assistance.

Aside from Cagayan, President Duterte also visited other areas affected by typhoon Lawin including Isabela and Ilocos Norte.PND

“Ang thrust kasi ng gobyerno ko is first education, second is agriculture, and third is health,” he said.



He assured the people of Ilagan, Isabela, whose primary source of income is agriculture, that agriculture industry would get a big chunk from the multi-billion dollar loans he received during his recent visit to China.



“Masiguro ho ninyo na ang una talagang beneficiary diyan ang agriculture. Meron kayong malaki diyan dahil iyan ang unang problema natin sa bayan: agriculture,” he said.



“I can assure you dito sa gobyerno iyang trillion na [loans] na ‘yan kung magdating will be used precisely and entirely for the benefit of the Filipino people,” he added.



The President will also prioritize health disclosing his plan to revive the Botika ng Bayan, which provides low-cost and high-quality medicines especially for less privileged Filipinos.



He noted that the funds for the revival of the social program will be drawn from the earnings of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).

During his visit, the President also distributed around 37 million worth of seeds to the farmers of Isabela.PND