INCOMING President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said on Monday, June 20, 2022, he will temporarily take the helm of the Department of Agriculture (DA) upon his assumption of office.
"As to agriculture, I think the problem is severe enough that I have decided to take on the portfolio of Secretary of Agriculture at least for now," Marcos said in a press conference.
"I thought it is important that the president take that portfolio so that not only to make it clear to everyone what a high priority we put on the agri sector but also as a practical matter so that things move quickly because the events of the global economy are moving very quickly," he added.
Marcos made the statement amid the warning issued by the department weeks ago about the possible food crisis in the country in the second half of the year.
He said he will go back to basics and rebuild the value chain of agriculture with urgency in preparation for the looming increase of food prices brought about by supply issues due to the prevailing coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic and the increasing oil prices caused by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine due to Russian invasion.
Marcos said he is already coordinating with concerned government agencies and non-government organizations in order to put things in proper places especially for the increasing food production in the country.
“From the very beginning, I have always said that agriculture is going to be a critical and foundational part of our economic development and transformation as we anticipate the post-pandemic economy and furthermore, in response to the events in Ukraine which has affected the Philippines in agriculture and food supply," Marcos said.
He said he also instructed the Department of Trade and Industry, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Finance and Department of Budget and Management to make economic forecasts so that they know what the country will face for the rest of the year and prepare for it.
Meanwhile, Marcos said that in response to the series of oil price hikes, he sees his administration continuously distributing cash assistance to cushion the effects instead of suspending the excise tax on fuel products.
"I prefer to handle on the other hand of the equation and provide assistance to those who are in need. If you reduce excise taxes that does not necessarily help those who are most in need 'yung talagang tinatamaan kasi blanket e. So ang aking iniisip, kung sino ang talagang tinatamaan, example 'yung lumabas kaagad 'yung transport, 'yung nagpapasada, all of that, 'yung tinamaan kaagad i-focus muna natin on that," he said.
"'Yung mayroong may kaya, they can afford to pay even the VAT, those whose livelihoods are in danger or in danger of losing their livelihoods because of the increase of the oil, doon tayo dapat mag-focus," he added.
He vowed the speedy distribution of assistance especially amid his digitalization plans.
He also noted the importance of the National ID system to identify who really are in need.
"All of these things, the giving of ayuda, all of these things if we're trying to digitize the bureaucracy, it all really depends on everyone having their National ID," he said. (SunStar Philippines)