A progressive fisherfolk group urged President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr., on Tuesday, July 19, to support food producers instead of constructing more roads and infrastructure if he intends to achieve food security.

The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) is reacting to the announcement of the President, who also sits as secretary of the Department of Agriculture, on Monday, July 18, that his administration is prioritizing the strengthening of the “farm-to-market road” programs.

“Anong silbi ng farm-to-market roads kung wala namang produktong maiba-byahe dahil bagsak ang produksyon ng mga mangingisda’t magsasaka dulot ng taas-presyo ng mga gastusin (What is the use of farm-to-market roads if there are no products to transport because the production of fishermen and farmers has failed due to high costs)?” the group said in a statement.

According to the progressive group, a significant number of the rural population employed in the fishery and agriculture have left their farmlands and fishing grounds due to the high cost of production prompted by expensive fuel.

“In the fishing sector, for instance, fuel takes up almost 80 percent of the production cost in a small-scale fishing operation. Mr. Marcos should first address this low productivity among our rural sectors before anything else,” Pamalakaya spokesperson Ronnel Arambulo said.

Farm-to-market road (FMR) projects improve the mobility of goods, services, and the general public, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

It noted that FMR facilities serve as links for better access to basic social services such as health centers, schools, and areas for employment.

During Marcos’ two-hour meeting on July 18 with officials of the agriculture department, he ordered them to conduct a “thorough assessment” of the existing projects of the DA.

The President is also eyeing government-to-government (G2G) deals to address the increasing prices of fertilizers.