President Marcos has assured that ample and stable food supply and other agricultural goods are available for Filipinos amid the various problems affecting the country's food supply.
During his brief visit in Talisay City in Negros Occidental on Sunday, Oct. 23, Marcos said his administration is providing ways to "ensure that enough supply is brought to the people" as prices of goods continue to rise.
"Sa ngayon, tinitiyak lang natin na sapat ang dumadating sa taong-bayan. Hindi lamang asukal, pati na ang lahat ng produkto ng agrikultura, para naman ay kahit papaano ay masasabi natin ay may sapat naman na food supply na kayang bayaran ng ating mga mamamayan (Right now, we are ensuring that sufficient supply is brought to the people. Not just sugar, but all agricultural products, so that we can at least say that we have enough food supply that the people afford)," Marcos said.
One of these efforts, he said, is the distribution of assistance to various sectors, which he spearheaded during his visit in the city.
"Kaya’t habang nangangailangan ang taong-bayan ng tulong, gagawin ng gobyerno lahat para kahit papaano ay makatulong dito sa... Yung kahirapan, pangmundo ito eh (So, while the people are in need of help, the government will do everything to at least help...What we are experiencing now is a global problem)," he said.
The President stressed that the surging prices of goods, including oil, is a problem other countries are also facing, so the Philippines needs to "adjust" too.
"Ang problema lahat ng ating mga kasama, lahat ng ating mga kanegosyo, sabihin natin, na iba’t ibang bansa ay nagkakaproblema, nadadala sa atin yung problema din (The problem is, all of our counterparts, all of our business partners, let's say various countries are facing problems that are also affects us)," he said.
"Kaya’t kailangan natin mag-adjust. Kailangan natin gumawa ng ibang paraan at ito ay isa sa paraan na yun (So, we need to make adjustments. We need to find other ways and this is one of those)," he added, referring to the distribution of assistance to various sectors.
During his visit, assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) amounting from P5,000 to P10,000 were given to 100 recipients. It was from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
The Department of Agriculture (DA), on the other hand, turned over mock checks to six farmer organizations amounting to P88 million under its Philippine Rural Development Project. It also provided palay seeds to 100 farmers, one unit of corn mill and three units of incubator.