PROTECT. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. delivers his third State of the Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City on Monday (July 22, 2024). The Antique Provincial Board lauded the unwavering stand of the President on the West Philippine Sea. (Screengrab from RTVM)
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – Members of the Antique provincial board lauded the stand of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on the West Philippine Sea (WPS), declared during the third Station of the Nation Address (SONA) in Quezon City.
Board Member Victor Condez said he was relieved when President Marcos said he would not yield nor waive the claim on the WPS.
“Our constitution gave us the exclusive rights to possess and to cultivate it (WPS) for our own good,” Condez said.
He said that the WPS is also a particular concern of Antiqueño fisherfolk braving the seas.
Board member Noel Alamis said Antiqueños, as all Filipinos are, feel apprehensive because of the conflict.
“We want peace in our country,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sonie Guanco, Department of Agriculture coordinating office head, said farmers in the province appreciate the additional assistance of seeds and fertilizers mentioned by the President in his SONA.
“The farmers feel that President Marcos’ administration has not forgotten them because of the assistance extended and will continue to be extended to them,” he said.
He said that they are now finishing the distribution to 47,390 farmers in Antique under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement-Rice Farmers Financial Assistance funded by the 2023 allocation.
Each farmer tilling two hectares and below will receive PHP5,000 each for fertilizers. (PNA)
