UNDERSCORING the importance of agriculture and fisheries in sustaining the livelihood of her fellow Antiqueños, Senator Loren Legarda reassured her commitment to prioritize the development of farmers and fisherfolk in the further growth of the country’s economic standing, noting her unyielding efforts as a public servant to support the government in its endeavors to improve the lives of Filipinos.
“Bilang isa sa mga kinatawan sa Senado ng mga probinsya sa Panay Island, prayoridad natin ang pagtulong sa ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Maliban sa tulong pinansyal, patuloy po nating sinisiguro na may sapat na pondo upang mapagkalooban sila ng mga kagamitan at makinarya na malaki ang maitutulong sa kanilang produksyon,” the senator said.
As a staunch advocate for an empowered community through the provision of livelihood, the four-term senator has provided various assistance to her home province of Antique throughout her career in public service.
These include the construction of fish landing and processing centers and the distribution of fishing boats for fisherfolk and poultry and livestock for farmers.
“Bukod pa rito, patuloy din nating sinusuportahan ang pagpapalago ng kanilang kabuhayan upang magkaroon sila ng dagdag kita para sa kani-kanilang pamilya,” she said.
However, Legarda recognized that the farmers and fisherfolk remain one of the sectors that experience poverty despite their hard work and sacrifices to feed the entire country. She emphasized the importance of events like the distribution of presidential assistance to boost the morale of this sector and stir them towards further development.
“Nararapat lamang po na ilapit natin ang mga programa ng pamahalaan sa ating mga kababayan sa probinsya upang maramdaman nilang kasama at kasabay natin sila sa pag-unlad at hindi sila napagiiwanan,” she stated.
She also expressed her sincerest gratitude to the national government for continuously upholding the welfare of many Filipinos amidst various issues impacting the country’s economy as she joined President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in distributing assistance to farmers and fisherfolk in Antique.
“Lubos po ang aming pasasalamat sa walang sawang pagbibigay-halaga ng ating Pangulo sa mga mangingisda at magsasaka hindi lamang dito sa Panay Island, pati na rin sa buong Pilipinas,” she continued./PN
