Agri modernization program paying off — GMA

BATAC, Ilocos Norte – President Arroyo said here Thursday night that the fight against poverty is slowly but surely being won due to the agriculture modernization program put in place by the government.

In a speech during a farmers’ festival held at the Imelda Cultural Center here, the President noted that the "food for every table" goal of her administration is slowly being realized.

"That aspiration is nearing completion," she said, pointing out that the fight against poverty, is gaining victory due to the agriculture modernization program of the government.

The President stressed she is the only President who spent P20 billion yearly for agriculture modernization.

"Now we can show the advances we made in this field," she said, expressing elation at the cooperation the farmers here are doing by engaging in progressive farming activities.

In two years, she said, the country will be self-sufficient in "palay" and "we will begin exporting rice".

The President cited the nine tractors that came from the P19 million fund which are the shares of the town of Batac in the RA 7171 (Tobacco Excise Tax Fund) for tobacco producing provinces in the North, namely Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte.

She also said that she is the only President who paid in full what the government owned to the different tobacco producing provinces as provided for under RA 7171.

The President also said that the creation of one million job a year is one of the pro-poorr agenda of her administration that will be implemented in the next six years with the help of the residents of Batac.

• triple the loans extended to the small businessman;

• provide clean water to all barangays of the country;

• provide electricity to 1,500 barangays any year;

• build 3,000 new classrooms, and pride one computer to each school and one scholarship for college education of one in every poor barangay; and

• reduce in half the price of medicine being bought by ordinary Filipinos.

During the birthday celebration of Cong. Ecue Ablanin Fort Ilocandia, the President announced as he birthday gift the blowing:

• Instruction of Budget and management Secretary Emilia Boncodin to release the 2003 RA 7171 ffunds asked to each of the tobacco producing provinces; and

• Signing of a proclamation declaring Elocandia here in Laoag as Tourism Economic Zone.