Sen. Loren B. Legarda promised to support initiatives of the municipal government of Magpet for the development of agriculture and in protecting the environment, two concerns which are on top of her agenda as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture.

Sen. Legarda, who was keynote speaker during the 46^TH Foundation Anniversary of Magpet August 13, also recognized the earning potential of rubber for farmers and vowed to help push for funding of local rubber development initiatives by the national government.

“Programs like these could provide income and livelihood opportunities and could help us achieve peace in this part of the country,” Sen. Legarda said in her speech before thousands who attended the culmination program of the town’s weeklong anniversary celebration at the Magpet Municipal Gymnasium.

“Kung bibigyan natin ang ating mga kapatid na rebelde ng pagkakakitaan sa pamamagitan ng suporta sa pagtatanim ng rubber trees ay magiging payapa ang ating bayan,” (If we give our rebel brothers a source of income by supporting the development of rubber farms, our country can be peaceful) Legarda said.

 “I believe in the peace process but I also believe that it is not enough that we only talk peace without giving rebels livelihood support,” she said.

Sen. Legarda, in her speech, shared her vision for the Philippines - good governance, sustainable equitable socio-economic development, livelihood and agriculture, eco-system and environment protection, and promotion of culture.

This vision is attainable, she said, provided no one corrupts our budget.

Sen. Legarda thanked the people of Cotabato for supporting her candidacy in the previous elections.

The lady senator is the only woman in history who has topped the Senate race twice, first in 1998 with over 15 million votes and in 2007 with over 18 million votes. She won in both instances in Cotabato province.