PBBM skips DA’s World Food Day program due to 'schedule conflict'

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. (PBBM), who also heads the Department of Agriculture (DA), will not attend the activities set by the agriculture department today, Oct. 17, for the celebration of the World Food Day.

Based on the initial program for the event, Marcos was scheduled to grace the event at the DA grounds at 3 p.m. He was set to lead the ceremonial ribbon cutting of the World Food Day Exhibit and DA Tiangge.

The President and Agriculture secretary was also supposed to give a keynote speech during the event.

“Hindi po matutuloy na dumating si PBBM sa DA World Food Day Celebration mamayang 3 p.m. sa DA Grounds... may conflict po sa schedule ni PBBM (PBBM will not be able to attend the DA World Food Day Celebration at 3 p.m. at the DA grounds... he has a conflict of schedule),” a representative of the DA told reporters in a Viber group.

This year’s celebration carries the theme: “Leave no one behind, through better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life.”

During the opening of Agrilink/Foodlink/Aqualink Trade Fairs 2022 on Oct. 6, Marcos assured that he has been prioritizing the agriculture sector ever since the beginning of his term.

“The strengthening of the agricultural sector is the strengthening of survival, the strengthening of life. And that is how important we have always considered the agricultural sector. And that is why I took on the portfolio,” the chief executive said.

“As soon as I took office as President, I decided to take on the portfolio of the Secretary of Agriculture, not only to highlight the importance with which this administration puts on the agricultural sector but also to accelerate the development of that value chain. The strengthening of all our services that we give to our people in terms of food production, in terms of food supply, and our efforts to keep all our food products, all our agricultural commodities at a price that ordinary citizens can afford,” he continued.

Every year on October 16th, people all around the world observe World Food Day to remember the day the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization was established in 1945.

Many other organizations concerned with hunger and food security, including the World Food Programme, the World Health Organization, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, observe the World Food Day.