BAGO CITY -- “I am just another human being like you, gasunggod-sunggod man ko. But, it does not mean that Negros is not a priority when it comes to agriculture projects.”
This was stressed by Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol at the sidelines of his dialogue with local farmers and fisherfolk at Manuel Y. Torres Memorial Coliseum and Cultural Center in this city yesterday.
Speaking before thousands of Negrenses more often in Hiligaynon, Piñol, who has Ilonggo roots, lamented that it took quite some time for him to visit the province.
He cited some issues hounding him such as the importation of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).
“When the prices of sugar dropped, I was accused of favoring Coca-Cola by allowing it to import HFCS. My effigy was even torched and I was tagged persona non grata,” Piñol recalled.
The Agriculture chief said he cannot force everyone to like him “but I know my responsibilities as the DA Secretary.”
Piñol said his feelings take a back seat when it comes to his obligation as Cabinet member.
“I have to work and serve the people and make sure that the wishes of the President are done and accomplished,” he told reporters, adding that “the fact that I am here, Negros is still part of our priority.”
A dialogue dubbed “Tapatan” is part of his two-day “Biyaheng Bukid” activity in the province.
Aside from listening to the concerns of Negrense farmers and fisherfolk, Piñol also led the distribution of about P14 million worth of fishery and farm support projects in separate activities in Ilog town and in Bago City.
Piñol will have a dialogue with sugar industry stakeholders in Bacolod City today.
In yesterday’s dialogue, he also pledged more projects for the province amounting to more than P100 million.
After which, the DA official visited some agriculture-related projects established in the province like the Rice Processing Center and Integrated Correctional Agricultural Technology (ICAT) Center in Barangay Tabunan, Bago City.
Asked if he still has ill feelings for Negrenses after having dialogues with the farmers and fisherfolk, Piñol said “no more.”
“I am in Negros to also hear the people here. The Provincial government is already spending a lot for agriculture thus, we want to know where we can come in and what other needs our farmers have,” Piñol said.
Governor Alfredo Maranon Jr., who also attended the activity, said the pronouncement of the DA chief is something to rejoice.
Marañon said the provincial government’s advocacy for the agriculture industry is aligned with that of Piñol’s.
“I believe that the Secretary loves us. He is an Ilonggo thus, we speak the same language and have the same culture,” he added.
The governor also urged Negrenses to stop fingerpointing or blaming each other, and instead, work and cooperate with each other.
“We can resolve the problems through peaceful means, not by doing rallies and starting conflicts,” Marañon added.