SANTA MARIA, Laguna — Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday praised farmers here for their sacrifices, devotion, and support for the agriculture industry's growth.

Duterte was guest speaker during this town’s 10th Marilag Festival at the Laguna Town Plaza here.

“Today, we pay tribute as we celebrate the richness of your agricultural farms, the sacrifices and dedication of the people who toil the land, and commitment of everyone behind Santa Maria’s agriculture sector,” Duterte said.

Known as Laguna’s “food basket,” Santa Maria, according to Duterte, plays a big role in the development of the province as it helps sustain the country’s economy and the lives of Filipinos.

Duterte also commended the local government and the people of Santa Maria for their resilience and cooperation in paving wider and more sustainable paths of development for its local communities.

The Vice President said the foundations of development and growth that is inclusive — that targets the most vulnerable sectors — are built in good governance.

“It is my hope that the local leaders of Santa Maria will continue to uphold the values of good governance and become even more relentless in embarking on initiatives for the improved welfare of the communities of Santa Maria,” Duterte said.

The Vice President also offered Santa Maria one of Office of the Vice President’s projects, the Mag Negosyo Ta ‘Day (MTD), to assist women and members of the LBBTQI+ by augmenting their daily income, making them economically empowered and independent.

The MTD was one of Duterte’s many flagship projects when she was still mayor of Davao City. The OVP has adopted the project for nationwide implementation.

The MTD, which offers trainings and funding to groups, was launched in San Pedro, Laguna on March 8. The Vice President offered the same project to Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental on March 14, and to Alaminos City in Pangasinan on March 19.

Duterte, who is also the Secretary of Education, urged parents to make sure that their children go to school, and to join the call in combatting local terrorism as it “destroys the future of the children.”

“Gabayan po natin sila at ipakita natin ang kahalagahan ng edukasyon para sa pagkakaroon ng maayos o magandang buhay,” Duterte said.

“Protecting Filipino children is protecting the Philippines. At magkapit-bisig tayo sa paglinang ng marami pang mga paraan para tayo ay umunlad at maisulong ang pagtatayo ng isang maunlad, matibay, at marilag na Pilipinas,” she added.

OVP MEDIA