PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday said he will be putting in place structural changes in the Department of Agriculture (DA) first before stepping down as its Secretary, to ensure food security in the country.
In a media interview after the formal turnover ceremony, held in Valenzuela City, of the 20,000 metric tons of urea fertilizers donated by the Chinese government to the Philippines the President said that since he assumed as DA Secretary, he has put in place some substantial changes to address the issues of the agriculture sector.
“You know, the truth of the matter is…we have really managed to make some very important structural changes in the Department of Agriculture. So iniisa-isa natin ‘yan. The problem had been during the beginning of this year ay naging crisis lahat ng food supply, food prices, lahat fertilizer prices, et cetera. Kaya napakalaking bagay nitong donation na binigay sa atin ng China,” Marcos said.
The President said he envisions the agriculture department to have efficient systems in place to ensure food security before stepping down from the agency.
“Kaya’t ang aking hangarin para sa DA ay pag iniwanan ko ang DA by that time, we will have systems in place so that we can guarantee the food supply of the Philippines, number 1; we can guarantee that the prices are affordable; and, number 3, that our farmers make a good living,” Marcos said.
“Hangga’t matapos natin ‘yun, I suppose you will just have to put up with me as DA Secretary,” he added.
Marcos said as concurrent Agriculture Secretary, he puts in place emergency measures to support and assist farmers.
“Ngayon, more or less, the prices of the agricultural commodities are beginning to stabilize. Now, we are going to make the structural changes that are important to increase production, number 1; to ensure the food supply of the Philippines, not only rice, but also corn, also fisheries, and livestock,” he said.
“So ‘yan ang ating mga ginagawa ngayon para naman hindi na tayo umabot sa krisis na sitwasyon kagaya ng nadatnan natin after the pandemic,” the President said.
