Bangon Pilipinas standard bearer Bro. Eddie Villanueva Friday scored the slow agricultural growth in the Bicol region as he charted the programs his administration would undertake if he wins the presidency.

Villanueva said Wednesday he is considers himself a son of Bicol who is returning with programs to help modernize the region's agricultural sector.

All six provinces of Region V thrive on agriculture, with rice, copra, corn, and pili nuts as primary crops.

As a youth, Villanueva said he had already seen the potentials of these crops to boost the region's economy.

An activitist during the martial law years, Villanueva sought sanctuary in the community of Barangay Tinago in Bulan, Sorsogon where he kept company with fishermen and farmers and saw the dire need for government assistance in improving their livelihood.

"Noon pa man, nagliliyab na ang pagnanais kong matulungan ang ating mga Bicolanong magsasaka at mangingisda," Villanueva recalled.

Thirty years after martial law, he said Bicolanos had yet to enjoy a modernized agriculture sector.

Villanueva vowed that on its first 100 days, his administration will put in place programs geared toward agricultural and fishery modernization.