SAN JOSE, Antique – The public plaza here turned pink with thousands of supporters of Vice President Leni Robredo showing up for her “people’s council” yesterday afternoon. She vowed to improve the province’s agriculture and fishery sectors – two crucial industries that give livelihood to thousands of Antiqueños.
Atty. Ade Santillan Fajardo, the Antiqueño former national president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and now running for congressman of the province, backed Robredo’s support for the local agriculture and fishery, noting that these sectors have not been given much attention in years.
According to the Vice President, “Ang farming at fishing ang pinagkukunan ng hanapbuhay sa Antique. Kami po noong nakaraang halos anim na taon ‘yon po ang binibigyan ng focus – kung paano matutulungan ang hanapbuhay ng mga tao hindi lang po dito kundi sa mga communities na tinutulungan naming.”
Fajardo agreed with Robredo who, like him, holds a degree in Economics and is a lawyer, too.
“Amo na ang aton tinguhaan para sa Antiqueños – ma-revive ang agriculture and fishery sectors which are the backbones of Antique’s economy. Sa subong medyo nagapungha-pungha,” said Fajardo.
According to Robredo, the cost of farm inputs has become prohibitive such as fertilizer and fuel, and this hurts farmers.
But aside from boosting the budget for agriculture, she said, training the stakeholders how to improve their yield is also important.
Modernizing farming practices is also a must, Robredo added.
“Pero hindi po natatapos dyan. Bahagi rin po ‘yung pagpasiguro na ang produkto nila ay may mapupuntahan,” she stressed.
Fajardo backed Robredo’s plan. Through community immersions and consultations with residents and leaders in Antique, he learned of the plight of farmers first hand.
“Ang aton mga mangungoma, tama ka barato gali bakal ka paray. Ti pierde gid sanda. Daw wala ti support bala nga nakita,” pointed out Fajardo, a native of San Jose de Buenavista.
“Sa mangingisda ganun din. Sisiguruhon ko…ang produkto nila mabebenta sa maayos na presyo,” said Robredo.
Fajardo echoed the Vice President’s sentiment.
“Ang aton mangingisda, kay coastal ang Antique, source gid ran. Ka raku nga isda, ti paano ta sanda kadya mabuligan,” Fajardo said.
“Siguro mga gagmay nga issue para sa iban pero basic bala nga kinahanglan ta gid nga turukon,” he stressed.
Fishing is as major source of livelihood in 15 coastal municipalities of Antique. But while the rich fishing grounds of the Cuyo East Pass, Sulu Sea and municipal waters make fishing a promising venture, Antique’s fisherfolks need sufficient assistance, especially post-harvest.
“Tugroan gid sanda sang mga post-harvest assistance, very important gid. Sa iban nga mga lugar gani, very active ang assistance, ginpanginmuslan gid nanda it mayad ang anda kadagatan,” said Fajardo whose degree in Economics was from the University of the Philippines.
Fajardo said the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is not only mandated to apprehend illegal fishers but also to implement programs such as on post-harvest, which may include provisions for cold storage and fish processing.
“For instance ang drying kang fish kara, etc…Daad may assistance man sa marketing, storage…amo ra ang mandato daad kang BFAR. Pero aton namutikan bisan diin man sa Pilipinas, indi lang rigya sa Antique, duro aton fisherfolks daw naga-concentrate lang sanda sa panakop. Ang post-harvest assistance daw nagakulang gid,” lamented Fajardo.
Good governance will bring about improvements in Antique’s agriculture and fishery sectors battered by the ongoing coronavirus disease pandemic, according to Fajardo, and Robredo is the most qualified to lead the country to recovery.
“The Vice President is the most qualified, the most caring and the most down-to-earth person to lead the Philippines out this pandemic,” he stressed.
For one, said Fajardo, Robredo manages public funds well, citing the Commission on Audit’s (COA) highest rating given to the Office of the Vice President.
This high rating showed that Robredo practices good governance free from corruption, said Fajardo.
“Pinakita po namin na ang aming opisina ay matapat, malinis at mahusay. Kahit kaunti ang aming mandato, ginagawa namin ang lahat para mapakita na kami ay katiwa-tiwala,” Robredo told over 2,000 supporters at the plaza here.
With Robredo and Pangilinan in Antique yesterday were reelectionist Sen. Richard Gordon and candidate for senator Alex Lacson.
They proceeded to Antique yesterday afternoon after stops in Aklan and Boracay Island./PN
