Returning Senator Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito on Wednesday, July 13 said the national government should first formulate a comprehensive plan on food security before declaring a state of agricultural emergency.
Ejercito made the statement amid mounting calls for the Marcos administration to declare either a state of calamity or state of emergency to address various issues in the country's agricultural sector.
“Food security is inevitably tied to national security so this is very crucial. But again, as a matter of principle—first, I would like to see a comprehensive plan,” Ejercito said in a statement.
"What are the specifics of the declaration of a state of emergency in agriculture?" the senator pointed out.
Nevertheless, Ejercito said he will support any proposal that would give President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. more latitude in addressing the country's agricultural woes.
“As a matter of principle, I am generally supportive of proposals that will allow the Executive to address some of the more serious problems our country faces. Especially with this one as this concerns the food security of our nation,” he said.
Ejercito also said Congress should monitor the implementtaion of emergency measures once a state of agricultural emergency is declared to prevent any abuses.
As principal sponsor fo the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act, Ejercito also said he wants to see a strong legislative oversight in terms of the executive implementation of the state of emergency.
“The legislature should be allowed to fulfill its role of ensuring transparency and that powers will not be abused,” he stressed.
Ejercito, likewise, said he hopes the President will discuss his plans for the agricultural sector in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25.
“I expect the President to discuss these proposals in detail during his first SONA. I am sure that all legislators will study his administration’s priority proposals as soon as the relevant government agencies provide us with detailed plans,” he said.