Farmers in Isabela will no longer have to dry their palay on the roadside or their onions left to rot for lack of a suitable storage area.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday inspected a multi-purpose drying pavement and onion cold storage facility storage turned over by the government to farmers in the Municipality of Ramon in Isabela Province, a project expected to strengthen the agricultural sector and provide a more efficient post-harvest system.

Upon arrival at the site, President Marcos was met by hundreds of farmers gathered at the compound who cheered and chanted “BBM, BBM, BBM”, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.

President Marcos took time to engage with the farmers, shaking hands, exchanging brief conversations, and accommodating requests for selfies.

The Chief Executive then proceeded with the inspections of the facilities, the Ambatali Warehouse with Multi-Purpose Drying Pavement and the Ramon Onion Cold Storage Facility, located in Barangay Ambatali in the Municipality of Ramon.

The President was assisted by Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., provincial and Local government officials during the inspection of the storage, a government initiative which is expected to benefit around 1,500 farmers from Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya.

The DA said the onion cold storage has a capacity of up to 20,000 bags, which would prevent spoilage of about 4,000 to 7,000 bags, ensuring a year-round market supply and generating additional income for farmers.

The government is reportedly aware of the drop in prices of onions and other agricultural products and that the lack of cold storage and drying facilities often leads to spoilage and forces farmers to sell at lower prices.

The DA said the government has begun providing cold storage and other facilities to address the issue.

On the other hand, the Ambatali Warehouse and Drying Pavement has a capacity to store 14,000 cavans of palay, which is expected to help maintain the quality of farmers’ harvests.

In addition, the facility can serve as a drying facility capable of processing up to 3,625 sacks of palay per cycle, thus farmers will no longer need to dry their produce along roadsides, a practice that often causes safety risks, grain damage, and low prices.

The government will also provide fuel and fertilizer subsidies to help ease the burden on farmers amid rising oil prices, along with financial assistance through the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families program.

The DA, on the other hand, is currently coordinating with the provincial LGUs of Isabela to provide additional help. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured the public on Wednesday that the government will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that all Filipinos wishing to be repatriated from the Middle East are back home amid ongoing tensions.

In his Presidential Address at Malacañan Palace, President Marcos said the government maintains close coordination with the local authorities of the involved countries to ensure the safest repatriation process and prevent misencounter.

“‘Pag nasa 10,000 feet ‘yung eroplano, hindi nila malaman kung ‘yun ba ay mga militar o ‘yun ba ay sibilyan. Baka magkaproblema, magka-misencounter kung tawagin. Kaya ngayon, tinitiyak natin na lahat ng movement ay cleared by the local authorities para lahat sila ay maging safe,” President Marcos said.

According to the President, the government continues to arrange chartered flights for Filipinos and plans to increase the frequency, depending on the advice of the local authorities.

“We are chartering flights. We are now, we started with one a week. We will start to accelerate that to two a week. Depende talaga kung kailan nila sasabihin sa atin na maaari nang magpalipad,” the President said.

“We will continue to do this until the war ends or until we have repatriated all of our nationals back home here to the Philippines,” President Marcos added.

According to the President, over 2,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have already been repatriated, while over 16,000 affected Filipinos have received assistance, including food, shelter, medical care, transportation, and financial support.

President Marcos also cited the Philippines’ good relationships with Middle Eastern countries, enabled by our well-performing OFWs, which make coordination with them smoother and easier.

“Mabuti na lang at maganda ang relasyon natin at kinakaibigan natin silang lahat at very appreciative ang mga host countries sa ating mga workers dahil nga sinasabi nila napakagaling at napakaganda ang kanilang ginagawa,” the President said.

“Nakipag-ugnayan tayo sa kanila kaagad at tiniyak sa atin na ang seguridad ng ating mga OFW ay kanilang binabantayan at tinitiyak nila na ang ating mga OFW ay hindi malalagay sa alanganin.” | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said local government units (LGUs) will begin distributing free rice to their constituents within the next one to two weeks, as part of efforts to ease the burden on households amid tensions in the Middle East.

In an address to the nation at Malacañan Palace, President Marcos directed LGUs to allocate at least 50 percent of their Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) to purchase rice for distribution.

“Magsisimula na rin na magbigay ang ating mga LGU ng libreng bigas. Ito ay nagsimula –‘yung LGSF program ito – nagsimula ito bago pa nagkagiyera. Pero iro-roll out ito within the next week or two,” the President said.

The LGSF is a government program that provides direct financial assistance to LGUs for priority projects, including infrastructure, healthcare, and other local services.

President Marcos said LGUs will take the lead in implementing the initiative, with an option to allocate up to 100 percent of their LGSF funds for rice distribution.

Meanwhile, the President assured the public that there will be no immediate increase in the prices of basic commodities despite rising global fuel costs.

President Marcos said manufacturers have committed to keeping prices stable for now, as they are still selling inventory purchased before the escalation of tensions in the Middle East.

“Habang nandiyan ang kanilang imbentaryo, nangako sila na hindi nila itataas ang presyo ng mga primary commodities,” the President said. | PND

After achieving the historic milestone of zero doctorless municipalities nationwide in 2025, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday led the send-off of 290 doctors deployed to geographically isolated areas under the government’s Doctors to the Barrios (DTTB) program.

Speaking during the send-off ceremony at Malacañan Palace, President Marcos acknowledged that limited resources, long distances, and the shortage of doctors continue to hinder access to healthcare for Filipinos in remote areas, emphasizing the crucial role of doctors deployed under the DTTB program in providing quality medical services. The President reaffirmed his commitment to bring healthcare closer to the people.

“Maraming komunidad pa rin ang umaasa sa iisang doktor sa kabila ng dami ng taong nangangailangan ng serbisyong medikal. Ang ilan sa ating mga kababayan, kailangan pang bumiyahe ng ilang oras kahit may sakit na sila, gagastos sila nang malaki para sa pamasahe, at maghihintay nang matagal para makapagpakonsulta lamang ng manggagamot,” President Marcos said.

“Dahil dito, sinabi ko sa DOH na tiyakin na makakapagpadala tayo ng mga doktor sa lahat ng munisipalidad, lalo na sa mga lugar na hindi madaling abutin at kulang ang serbisyong medikal,” the President added.

Through the DTTB program, Filipinos in outlying areas will be given immediate access to medical checkup and medication. It will also help curb the spread of common diseases such as tuberculosis and pneumonia, strengthen responses to women’s health needs like cancer screening and maternal health care, and safeguard children’s well-being through proper nutritional guidance.

According to President Marcos, the DTTB Batch 43 is the largest single deployment in the program’s history, marking a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to ensure accessible healthcare services for Filipinos.

“Through the sustained implementation of this program, we have reached a historic milestone of Zero Doctorless Municipalities nationwide in 2025,” the President reported.

Beyond this achievement, President Marcos stressed the importance of ensuring government support is consistently accessible, noting that his goal is not just to provide relief but to establish a health system that will continue to serve Filipinos in the years to come.

During the event, the President committed to strengthening the National Health Workforce Support System by investing in doctors’ training, safety, and well-being, enabling them to serve with excellence, heal with care, and lead with compassion.

“Kapag maayos ang kalusugan ng ating mga kababayan sa komunidad, mas gumagaan ang buhay araw-araw. Mas maraming bata ang lumalaking malusog at nakakapag-aral nang mabuti, at mas maraming magulang ang makakapaghanap-buhay nang walang iniindang karamdaman. At kapag malusog ang komunidad, mas nagiging produktibo ang mamamayan kaya’t mas malaki ang pagkakataong umangat ang pamayanan,” the President said.

The President also called on the medical professionals to continue upholding the excellence and courage that truly define Filipino doctors wherever they may go, and at the same time wished them good health and a safe journey.

“Habang kayo’y nagsisilbi sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa, dalangin namin ang inyong kalusugan at kaligtasan, at ang patuloy na lakas ng loob sa bawat araw ng inyong paglilingkod,” the President said.

Since the DTTB program began in 1993, almost 3,000 physicians have been deployed to remote areas nationwide. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. personally inspected on Monday the Bicol Mega Cold Storage and Vegetable and Fruit Processing Facility in Pili, Camarines Sur, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to strengthening the country’s agricultural infrastructure, improving the value chain, and enhancing farmers’ livelihoods.

In his remarks following the inspection, President Marcos acknowledged the sacrifices of farmers in maintaining food security and assured them that the government projects will fully benefit them.

“Binubuo namin ang buo na pangangailangan ng ating mga magsasaka. Dahil talaga namang alam namin na ang buong Pilipinas ang nagpapakain ay ang ating mga magsasaka at alam naman natin kung gaano kahirap maghanapbuhay na nagsasaka,” President Marcos said.

“Kasi pagka wala tayong ganito (cold storage), ‘yung mga produkto natin, lalo na ‘yung mga gulay, ‘yung mga itlog, lahat ng produkto natin na hindi tumatagal ay kailangan ninyong ibenta dahil masisira, hindi magagamit. Kaya kung anong presyo ang sasabihin ng trader, eh wala kayong magagawa. Kaya pagka may cold storage na, at magko-control nitong cold storage ay hindi ‘yung malalaking kompanya,” he added.

The President said the government will organize a local group to control and operate the facility to the locals’ advantage.

“Kayo ang magsasabi kung kailan ibebenta, kaninong tatanggapin na produkto,” the President said.

The Mega Cold Storage features six refrigerated warehouse rooms for commodities and one room for preparation, one blast freezer with a capacity of two tons, and a solar power system that will ensure the safety of agricultural commodities such as vegetables, fruits, meat, poultry, and fish.

Funded with a PhP500 million investment, the cold storage has a combined annual capacity exceeding 200,000 tons, and is expected to benefit over 200,000 farmers and farmers cooperatives and associations (FCAs) in the Bicol Region, Visayas, and Mindanao.

From June 2022 to October 2025, there have been 24 operational cold storage facilities across the country.

Aside from this, the President also wants locals to earn additional income from the Vegetable and Fruit Processing Facility, a postharvest hub that handles receiving, processing, and storing of fruits and vegetables into chilled, frozen, dried, canned, and puree products.

“Mayroon tayong mga processing na ganito, ang may-ari, lokal, para kung ano man ang dagdag – ang tawag nila value-added – kung ano man ang dagdag sa presyo ng produkto ay hindi mapupunta sa malaking korporasyon, kundi mapupunta sa ating mga nagsasaka,” the President said.

During his tour, President Marcos observed the production process and sampled some of the products.

The processing facility currently has a racking system, a washing vat and tumbler, a pressure cooker, a peeling and cutting table, a pulper finisher, and cold storage. | PND

More than 1,800 farmers in Camarines Sur are set to benefit from two Solar-Powered Irrigation Projects (SPIPs) worth P332 million, initiated by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) as part of the Marcos administration’s push for sustainable agriculture and food security.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday inspected two SPIPs in Minalabac and Bula, Camarines Sur, aimed at strengthening food security and advancing the modernization of the country’s agriculture sector through innovative, climate-resilient technologies.

The projects include the P126.7-million Solar Pump Irrigation Project by the San Agustin-San Ramon Agrarian Reform Farmers’ Cooperative (SARF) in Bula, and the P205.46-million New MASSBA Solar Pump Irrigation Project (Phase I) in Minalabac.

With the adoption of solar energy, farmer cooperatives in the province drastically cut their power consumption, allowing them to save money and increase their income.

For instance, SARF incurred monthly electricity expenses ranging from P300,000 to P450,000 to operate irrigation pumps.

With the transition to solar energy, electricity costs have dropped significantly, allowing farmer-members to save more and improve their income.

In addition, farmers benefit from a more reliable, uninterrupted irrigation system, as a solar-powered facility ensures a continuous water supply while eliminating electricity-related expenses for its members.

Funded under the Establishment of Groundwater Pump Irrigation Project (EGPIP) Solar CY 2024, the combined projects cover more than 1,800 hectares of farmland and serve a total of 1,854 farmer-beneficiaries.

NIA Administrator Eduardo Eddie G. Guillen said solar-powered irrigation remains NIA’s key strategy in lowering production costs and enhancing agricultural productivity in the country.

With the completion and turnover of the modern irrigation system, the NIA reaffirmed its commitment to advancing agricultural modernization, empowering farmers, improving livelihoods, and contributing to the country’s long-term food security goals. | PND

Farmers from the Bicol region on Monday expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for making their welfare one of his administration’s top priorities.

President Marcos visited Camarines Sur to personally inspect the Bicol Mega Cold Storage and the Vegetable and Fruit Processing Facility located in Pili, which is designed to improve the livelihood of farmers and address post-harvest gaps.

In an interview with the Presidential News Desk (PND), a 74-year-old farmer, Trinidad Dela Cerna, commended the establishment of the Mega Cold Storage in their province, saying the facility will help preserve the quality of their agricultural products, especially during periods of oversupply.

“Malaking bagay (ang Mega Cold Storage Facility) lalo na sa mga nagtatanim ng mga gulay. Malaking bagay po ‘yun sa amin dito kung sakaling marami na ang mga produkto,” Dela Cerna said.

“Malaking pasasalamat po namin sa ating Pangulo dahil binibigyan niya ng pangunahing pansin ang magsasaka kagaya namin. Pinagtutuunan niya ang mga gaya namin na mga mahihirap at wala siyang pinipili,” she added.

Meanwhile, Eliazar Tatel, a farmer for 50 years, said the facility is seen to significantly reduce post-harvest losses by helping maintain the freshness of agricultural goods.

“Yung mga produkto ay hindi na po madaling mabubulok kasi mayroon ng facility storage na magpe-prevent para mapalawig po ‘yung buhay ng mga produkto,” Tatel said.

Tatel also expressed appreciation for the government, noting that such innovations will help strengthen the country’s food security.

“Ang masasabi ko lang sa ginagawang ito ng ating gobyerno at ating pong mahal na Pangulo, napakaganda nito na magkaroon po tayo ng mga ganitong innovation at mayroon tayong masasabi na magkakaroon ng food security ang ating bansa para sa ating mga mamamayan na hindi na mahirapan kung saan dadalhin ‘yung mga produkto at may sigurado pong mapagkukunan ng pangangailangan ang mga mamamayan,” Tatel said.

Joselito Salen, Chairman of San Lorenzo Ruiz Farmers Agriculture Cooperative, likewise affirmed President Marcos’ consistent support for farmers.

“Very supportive kaming mga farmer sa Pangulong Marcos dahil priority niya ang agriculture, itong mga nasa grassroots,” Salen told the PND.

Salen said the President remains committed to boosting farmers’ production through mechanization as well as providing subsidies, farm inputs, and cash assistance. | PND

Farmers in Camarines Sur heaved a collective sigh of relief with the opening of two Solar-Powered Irrigation Projects (SPIPs) worth P332 million, an initiative of the President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration through the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), expected to benefit more than 1,800 farmers in the province.

“Magpapasalamat po kami na talagang nakatulong si BBM dito sa mga magsasaka sa Camarines Sur,” said Nellie Israel, 60, of Minalabac town. She tends to a four-hectare palay farm.

Israel, a board member of the farmers’ cooperative Mataoroc-Sagrada-San Jose-Baliwag Viejo (MASSBA), said Minalabac farmers have for years borne the brunt of the high electricity costs of running an old irrigation system and still owe the power provider around P6 million.

The Minalabac irrigation system was constructed under the administration of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., and Israel expressed elation that his son and namesake, President Marcos Jr., is continuing the project by modernizing it.

Like Israel, Rosalie Abrado, 54, also expressed happiness when the solar-powered irrigation system became operational, stressing its benefits to Minalabac farmers.

“Nagpapasalamat po kami nang lubos sa Presidente kasi nagkaroon ng ganitong project sa Minalabac. First time po ito nagkaroon ng ganitong klaseng proyekto,” she said.

“Maraming lugar ang gustong magkaroon ng ganitong irrigation system, at kami ay lubos na nagpapasalamat kasi kami ang napili para magkaroon nito.”

Abrado, who runs a three-hectare palay farm, said the project’s commencement is a big relief for farmers after years of operating the irrigation system using power from the grid.

She added that solar-powered irrigation is especially important as the country prepares for higher fuel prices due to tensions in the Middle East.

Abrado tills a 10-hectare palay farm, of which a large portion remains unirrigated, compelling her to use diesel-powered water pumps at her own expense.

In the past, farmers paid 13 cavans of palay per hectare per cropping season for irrigation, and with the adoption of a solar-powered system, Abrado expects much lower payments.

NIA said the completion and turnover of the modern irrigation system reaffirms its commitment to advancing agricultural modernization, empowering farmers, improving livelihoods, and contributing to food security. | PND

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday welcomed another batch of repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from the Middle East, as part of the government’s continued efforts to bring home Filipinos affected by ongoing tensions in the region.

A total of 343 repatriates — comprising 317 OFWs and 26 dependents from Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia — arrived at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City around 6:30 a.m. aboard a chartered flight operated by flag carrier Philippine Airlines.

President Marcos personally interacted with returning OFWs and their families and oversaw the distribution of assistance and services, including financial assistance, medical support, and psychosocial counseling.

The President was accompanied by several Cabinet officials, including Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, and OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan.

In an interview, Secretary Cacdac said 234 OFWs came from Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain, while the remaining 109 were repatriated directly from Saudi Arabia.

Cacdac expressed gratitude to the Saudi government for facilitating the transit of Filipinos from neighboring countries, noting that the Kingdom served as a key hub for evacuation efforts.

“Sarado ang airspace in Bahrain and limited or restricted ang airspace sa Kuwait and Qatar. So it was a land-crossing effort. It took, on average, about seven to eight hours to get to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,” Cacdac said.

The returning OFWs were accompanied by OWWA Administrator Caunan, who, according to Cacdac, led on-ground operations in Riyadh to assist Filipinos arriving from land crossings.

Cacdac said the government is preparing to repatriate around 1,200 more Filipinos in the coming days, with two additional chartered flights being eyed from the United Arab Emirates, which hosts around a million OFWs.

Upon their return, the repatriates will receive financial aid and reintegration services, such as livelihood assistance and employment facilitation.

On DMW’s part, Cacdac said they will present available job orders to the OFWs, while the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will also offer local job opportunities to them.

He added that the government will provide hotel accommodation and domestic flight tickets for those returning to the Visayas and Mindanao regions. Free bus transportation will also be provided for those traveling within Luzon.

President Marcos witnessed the send-off of OFWs returning to Visayas and Mindanao, with buses provided by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) transportating them to their designated hotels while waiting for their plane tickets.

The OFWs will also receive additional support from various agencies, including the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Tourism (DOT), and the Department of Agriculture (DA). The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will also provide free reskilling and retooling programs.

More than 1,400 OFWs and 334 dependents have already been repatriated from March 5 to 17. The third government-chartered flight, which arrived on March 18, carried 153 OFWs, 114 dependents, and 50 stranded Filipinos.

President Marcos earlier stressed the importance of “bayanihan” amid the challenges posed by the Middle East conflict and assured Filipinos that the government remains ready to provide support and assistance. | PND

Calling for unity amid tensions in the Middle East, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Sunday urged Filipinos to uphold the spirit of bayanihan as the government rolled out measures to ease the burden on commuters and vulnerable sectors.

“Ngayon ang panahon para maipakita natin sa buong mundo ang katangian ng bayanihan na nasa puso ng bawat Pilipino,” the President said in BBMVLOG 278, stressing the need for collective action as rising global fuel prices continue to affect the country.

The President also urged the public to remain responsible, particularly in sharing information.

“Pagtulong sa kapwa, o kahit sa pamamahagi ng tamang impormasyon at hindi pagkakalat ng fake news, huwag naman sana tayong magdagdag pa sa problema,” President Marcos added.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment, the President said Filipinos can rely on state support during the crisis. “Asahan naman ninyo na nandito lang ang pamahalaan bilang inyong takbuhan at sandalan…Huwag nating kakalimutan na kapag pinabayaan natin ang isa sa atin, napabayaan na natin ang buong bansa.”

Acknowledging the strain on commuters, President Marcos ordered the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to suspend the planned fare increase.

“Siguro hindi ito ang panahon para magtaas ng pamasahe para sa ating mga kababayan. Kaya iniutos ko sa DOTR na suspindihin muna ang fare hike,” the President said.

To further support the public, President Marcos added that the government will continue its free ride programs in major urban centers, including Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Metro Davao.

Meanwhile, the President noted passengers of LRT-2 and MRT-3 will receive a 50 percent fare discount beginning March 23 through designated Beep cards, with existing discounts for persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and students remaining in place.

The administration is also expanding financial assistance to transport workers and other affected sectors. Fuel subsidies have already been distributed to nearly 100,000 tricycle drivers, with additional aid set to roll out nationwide starting April 6.

Cash relief and subsidy programs are likewise being implemented across various government agencies.

“Naiintindihan natin ang sigaw ng mga nagpoprotesta na kababayan natin… pero gusto kong ulitin sa inyo, hindi kayo maiiwanan; hindi kayo pababayaan ng pamahalaan,” President Marcos assured.

The President also said the government is closely monitoring the prices of basic goods, noting that current market checks show prices remain stable and within suggested retail levels. Efforts are ongoing to coordinate with manufacturers to ensure continued supply of essential commodities.

On food security, President Marcos reported that the P20 rice program is being implemented in 177 local government units, with plans to expand coverage.

“Sa bigas, wala tayong problema. Sapat ang supply at nakokontrol pa natin ang presyo,” the President said, adding that a possible price cap is under review.

To address energy concerns, President Marcos noted that the government is coordinating with power generation companies to boost electricity supply, with 23 projects expected to add 900 megawatts to the grid in the coming months. Talks are also underway with several countries, including India, Japan, and South Korea, to secure oil supply amid global tightening.

At the same time, President Marcos assured continued assistance for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the conflict. More than 1,400 OFWs and over 300 dependents have returned to the country since early March, with additional repatriation flights expected in the coming days.

“Tuloy-tuloy naman ang pagdating ng ating mga kababayan mula sa Gitnang Silangan… tinitiyak natin na naaalagaan sila,” the President said. “Kaya tinitiyak naman natin na makakapag-hotel muna sila at binu-book natin sila sa mga flight na papunta sa kanilang mga probinsya. Tinitiyak natin na naaalagaan sila naman.” | PND