Sen. Villar: Marcos as Agriculture Secretary meant to address food security


SEN. Cynthia A. Villar speaks after inducting newly elected officials in Barotac Nuveo, Iloilo Tuesday, June 28. (Courtesy of Sen. Cynthia A. Villar’s office)
ILOILO CITY – For Sen. Cynthia A. Villar, President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as incoming Agriculture Secretary is meant to address issues on food security.

“I think he wants to understand the importance of food security and manage it so we won’t have food shortage,” Villar said while she was in Iloilo Tuesday, June 28, to administer the oath of incoming local officials.

“Because of the Russia-Ukraine war, oil prices have increased. This has also resulted in the increase of fertilizer prices and the prices of basic food,” Villar said.

Villar, chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, also noted that Marcos may also want to be hands-on and identify the many issues and concerns besetting the Department of Agriculture (DA).

“I think the President wants to understand the problem of the DA. Many have complained that there’s a lack of budget (in the agency). But maybe the problem is not with the budget,” Villar said.

“I think it’s the implementation of DA programs the President might want to correct,” added Villar.