Davao de oro: More farmers and fishers will be supported with the delivery of PHP115 million worth of agricultural aid in Davao de Oro, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Tuesday. This comes after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. led the turnover of agricultural production support packages in the province, a day after the fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA).

According to Philippines News Agency, the agriculture chief highlighted its benefits for boosting the capacity of local food producers in Davao de Oro. "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. He reiterated that this initiative is part of the Marcos administration's efforts to advance food security and modernization in agriculture to help reduce production costs while boosting agricultural productivity.

"The President's message in the SONA was clear: food security begins by empowering those who produce our food," Tiu Laurel stated. "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."

In particular, the DA provided farm aids, including a rice combine harvester, a four-wheel tractor, four motorized fishing boats, and 15,000 tilapia fingerlings. The packages also delivered 24,359 bags of certified inbred rice seeds, hybrid rice seeds, fertilizers, inputs for corn production, HDPE pipes for vegetable farming, and assistance under the Benteng Bigas Meron Na program.