President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday said the government plans to build over 400 infrastructure projects worth PHP27 billion in Northern Mindanao to boost the agricultural productivity in the region.

During the distribution of land titles and support services to farmers of Region 10 at the Mindanao Civic Center Gymnasium in Tubod, Lanao del Norte, Marcos said these infrastructure projects include farm-to-market roads, irrigation facilities, and potable water systems, among others.

These projects will be spearheaded by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

“Ngunit, hindi po matitigil diyan ang pamumuhunan natin sa ating mga magsasaka dahil patuloy tayong nagpapagawa ng [mga] imprastraktura tulad ng farm-to-market road, ng mga irrigation system, at saka mga potable water system. (Our investment in our farmers does not stop there because we continue to create infrastructure such as farm-to-market roads, irrigation systems, and potable water system),” Marcos said in his speech.

“Bukod sa dalawampu’t isang proyekto na nasimulan na natin sa Bukidnon at Camiguin, mayroon pang higit apat na raang proyekto na nagkakahalaga ng mahigit dalawampu’t pitong bilyong piso [ang isinusulong] ng DAR na gawin para sa buong Region 10 (Aside from the 21 projects that we started in Bukidnon and Camiguin, we also have over 400 projects worth PHP27 billion that will be spearheaded by the DAR in the entire Region 10),” he added.

President Marcos said this is part of the government’s efforts to improve the lives of farmers, who are crucial in ensuring the country’s food security.

“Asahan ninyong pag-iibayuhin pa namin ang pag-siguro na namumuhay nang may dignidad at kaginhawaan ang ating mga magigiting na magsasaka (Rest assured, we will do our best to guarantee that our brave farmers will live with dignity and comfort),” Marcos said.

“Hindi kami titigil sa [paglikha], pagpapatibay, at pagpapatupad ng aming mga polisiyang [magpapagaan] ng inyong pamumuhay at [magpapayabong] sa buong sektor ng agrikultura, hindi lamang dito sa inyo kung hindi sa buong Pilipinas (We won’t stop in creating, strengthening, and implementing policies that will uplift your lives and boost the agriculture sector, not just in your area but in the entire Philippines),” he added.

During the program, the President turned over farm machinery and equipment (FME) worth PHP2.6 million to seven agrarian reform beneficiary organizations (ARBOs), benefiting a total of 200 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) from Lanao del Norte.

He also distributed 2,566 land titles covering around 3,000 hectares to 2,857 ARBs from the Provinces of Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Misamis Oriental.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also provided cash assistance worth PHP10,000 each to around 1,760 ARBs from Northern Mindanao in its Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).

As part of Lanao del Norte’s 65th anniversary celebration dubbed “Araw ng Lanao’”, 6,745 beneficiaries from the province received AKAP in cash aid worth PHP10,000 each. (PNA)