LUBAO, Pampanga – A total of 3,437 farmers and fisherfolk from this town received various forms of assistance from both the Provincial Government and the Local Government Unit (LGU) during the celebration of Sampaguita Festival Farmers’ Day on Thursday, May 2.
The Farmers’ Day event marked the commencement of the 10th Sampaguita Festival.
Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda, Vice Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda, Former President and current 2nd District Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Lubao Mayor Esmeralda Pineda, and Vice Mayor Jay Montemayor led the ceremony at the Municipal Hall.
Each beneficiary was granted P 1,000 cash aid with 5-kg rice. 48 farm associations also received fuel subsidies and financial assistance worth P30,000.
Governor Pineda emphasized that the provincial government acknowledges the sacrifices of the farmers particularly amidst challenges such as the El Niño.
He stated,“Bilang pasasalamat sa mga farmers natin dahil sila ang tumutulong sa ating pamilya, at sa mga kinakain po natin sa araw-araw. Sa mga ganitong okasyon, nirerecognize natin ang ating mga magsasaka,”
Governor Pineda also mentioned the construction of a P 320-million state-of-the-art rice complex and warehouses near the bamboo hub through joint efforts of the Provincial Government and Congresswoman Arroyo.
Apart from the distribution, fresh vegetables, fruits, seedlings, and other locally-produced goods were also sold in the Agri trade fair.
“Sinimulan ito ni BM Mye. Importante po sakin ang farmers day dahil nakakasama po namin kayo. Nakakaproud kasi dati seedlings lang iyan na ipinamigay ng munisipyo, ngayon naharvest na. Ang daming pumupunta kasi alam nila na mura ang mabibili nila, ” said Mayor Pineda.