Marcos urged to focus on agriculture

JARO, Leyte — Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to accord priority to agriculture.

«The Philippine economy is doing well, but the President should prioritize agriculture. Our country was hit by the uncontrolled El Niño phenomenon, and that is understandable,» Tolentino said in an ambush interview during the graduation rites of Eastern Visayas State University.

Marcos is yet to fulfill his campaign promise to bring the price of rice to P20 per kilo.

FREE FROM DEBT President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. shows the certificate of condonation he signed with Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella in Pangasinan, on July 19, 2024. The certificate under the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (RA 11953) condones the debts incurred by agrarian reform beneficiaries and enables them to enjoy the fruits of their labor. At least 12 farmers from Region 1 received their certificates and mortgage releases. The President also distributed farm machinery, equipment and cash aid to farmer cooperatives and selected beneficiaries. Meanwhile, about 4,600 farmers, fisherfolk and their families received cash aid, livelihood assistance, and rice to address immediate food security needs. PPA POOL PHOTO

This year, the Philippines has once again emerged as the world's largest rice importer, projected to import 4.1 million metric tons (MMT), surpassing the 3.9 MMT import in 2023.

Marcos said that the government is bringing financial support to farmers and fishermen affected by El Niño after the weather phenomenon resulted in agricultural losses amounting to P367.54 million.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. shows the certificate of condonation he signed with Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella in Pangasinan on July 19, 2024. The certificate under the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (RA 11953) condones the debts incurred by agrarian reform beneficiaries and enable them to enjoy the fruits of their labor. At least 12 farmers from Region 1 received their certificates and mortgage releases. The President also distributed farm machinery, equipment, and cash aid to farmer cooperatives and selected beneficiaries. Meanwhile, about 4,600 farmers, fisherfolk, and