Following his State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. immediately fulfilled a key agricultural pledge by leading the distribution of more than ₱115 million in assistance to farmers, fisherfolk, and irrigators in Davao de Oro.
Alongside Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., the President oversaw the turnover of various agricultural resources in the provincial capital.
The aid package included a rice combine harvester, a four-wheel tractor, four motorized fishing boats, 15,000 tilapia fingerlings, over 24,000 bags of certified inbred rice seeds, hybrid seeds, fertilizers, corn inputs, vegetable irrigation pipes, and relief via the Benteng Bigas, Meron Na! program.
The initiative combines immediate food affordability efforts with long-term strategies to boost farm productivity and rural livelihoods.
“The interventions will benefit rice and corn farmers, irrigators’ associations, registered fisherfolk, and farmers throughout Davao de Oro listed in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture,” Tiu Laurel said.
According to the Department of Agriculture (DA), the assistance aligns with a broader push toward agricultural modernization via farm mechanization, high-quality seeds, fisheries support, and expanded production access. These interventions aim to lower operational expenses, enhance yields, and build resilience against rising costs and climate risks.
“The President’s message in the SONA was clear: food security begins by empowering those who produce our food,” Tiu Laurel said.
“When we invest in better equipment, quality seeds, fisheries, and modern farming technologies, we are investing in higher incomes for farmers and fisherfolk and a more secure food future for every Filipino.”
Secretary Tiu Laurel highlighted the need for ongoing collaboration among the DA, its Regional Field Office led by Regional Executive Director Macario Gonzaga, local government units, irrigators’ groups, and local cooperatives to build a competitive, climate-resilient agricultural sector.