By Stephanie Sevillano
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, should continue to be the concurrent agriculture chief until the end of his term, the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) said on Wednesday.
In an interview with PTV’s Rise and Shine Pilipinas, SINAG President Rosendo So believes this is the best way to streamline agricultural resolve against the global food crisis.
“Mungkahi namin na buong term niya siya ang concurrent secretary ng Department of Agriculture (DA), in which nakikita natin, mas mabilis ang action, kung ang presidente ang concurrent secretary dahil kung ano mang problema, pwedeng i-coordinate to other agencies,” he said.
(We recommend that he stays as the concurrent secretary of the DA for his entire term. Action will be swifter if the president will be the concurrent secretary because whatever may be the problem, he can easily coordinate it with other agencies.)
He said this setup would foster “better communication” between the executive department and the private sector.
So added they agree with Marcos’ goal to increase food production in the country and decrease importation in the government's long-term plan.
On Tuesday, Marcos said the country is also carrying “imported inflation” which makes it harder for the community to bear increased commodity prices.
He said the prime target, for now, is to increase the production of rice and corn and ensure the affordability of foods in the local market.
“I’m sure you are all aware of what’s happening around the world. You have all seen the effects of increasing food prices for all consumers everywhere. This is what we are anticipating, could happen if we’re not prepared, many of the elements, and many of the variables that have caused this food price crisis, there is enough food, but the price is too high, and the food price crisis, many of the elements, if not all, have been variables that over which we have no control. But nonetheless, we still have to feed our people, and so we still have to find strategies to make sure that those who are in need are supported by the government, as best as we can do,” Marcos said.
Fertilizer subsidy
Increased food prices are attributed to the increased cost of production. For instance, the price of fertilizer has already tripled.
SINAG said Marcos’ team must also subsidize farmers’ fertilizer and eventually ensure a stabilized food price.
“Yung immediate, dahil nagtatanim na ‘yung ating magsasaka and we need fertilizer subsidy para at least ito is para lumaki ang production, dahil ‘yung cost of fertilizer, tumaas e, ‘yung world market price,” he said.
(An immediate subsidy, because our farmers are already starting to plant, and we need the fertilizer subsidy for this to at least increase [their] production, because the cost of fertilizer has increased, the world market price.)
Marcos, meanwhile, said his team is planning on “rebuilding the value chain, from the research and development up to retail” for the DA’s long-term plan.
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