The government will continue to find ways to improve the quality of life of farmers as well as increase the productivity levels of the agriculture sector, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reiterated on Friday.
In his message during the Ceremonial Distribution of Rice and Various Assistance in General Trias, Cavite, President Marcos said that the Department of Agriculture (DA) is preparing for plans to capacitate the farmer groups on rice processing on top of the efforts to run after illegal hoarders and smuggler of agricultural products.
President Marcos is also the concurrent Secretary of the DA.
“Hindi natin titigilan ang pagpaganda ng agricultural sector, ang pagpaganda ng ating ani, ng cost of production, ng ating production levels,” Marcos said.
“Lahat po ‘yan kailangan natin gawin, pati na ang mga pagtulong sa mga cooperatives, sa mga association tungkol sa processing para sila na ang mag-process para pagbenta nila, hindi sila nagbebenta ng palay, nagbebenta sila bigas na para mas malaki ang kikitain nila,” he added.
He also mentioned the new buying price range imposed for buying palay from local farmers, which would help farmers earn more from their products.
The DA will also be distributing bio-fertilizers to farmer cooperatives and associations in lieu of the more expensive urea fertilizers, according to President Marcos.
“Hindi na ito ‘yung imported na nagmamahal na hindi mo malaman na sumasabay sa langis, presyo ng langis, ‘yung urea, sumasabay sa presyo ng langis ‘yan. Wala tayong kontrol diyan,” he said.
The chief executive gave assurance that the government will continue to explore means to help the communities and ensure that no one gets left behind in the country’s bid for progress and development.
“Asahan po ninyo na gagawin po ng inyong pamahalaan lahat ng kailangang gawin upang hindi naman kayo maiwanan, upang hindi naman kayo mahirapan. Lahat po ng kayang gawin ng pamahalaan ay gagawin namin,” he said.
President Marcos led on Friday the distribution of rice and various agricultural assistance to about 1,400 beneficiaries, including farmers and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries.
The President earlier distributed the smuggled rice seized by the Bureau of Customs in Zamboanga City and Zamboanga Sibugay.
The sacks of 25-kg rice were part of the 42,180 sacks confiscated by the Bureau of Customs-Port of Zamboanga, which were subsequently donated to the DSWD. | PND