Newly appointed Department of Agriculture (DA) chief Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. is eyeing to modernize the Philippines’ agriculture sector to ensure ample food supply in the country.
In his speech on Friday, Nov. 3, Laurel said modernization of the country’s agriculture sector is key in improving the welfare of fishers and farmers.
“Pangunahing adhikain ko ang pagtiyak na sagana ang ating ani at siguraduhing ito ay nakakarating sa hapag ng bawat Pilipino. Layunin ko na tiyakin na may sapat at masustansyang pagkain na mabibili ang ating mga kababayan sa tamang halaga (My main goal is to ensure that our harvest is abundant and make sure that it reaches the table of every Filipino. My goal is to ensure that there is enough and healthy food that our countrymen can buy at the right price),” he said.
“Susi [r]ito ang modernisasyon ng sector ng agrikultura kasabay ng pagpapabuti ka sa kapakanan ng ating mga kapatid na mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Ating sisiguraduhin na sila ay makikinabang sa mga bunga ng kanilang pagod at pagsisikap (The key to this is the modernization of the agricultural sector while improving the welfare of our fellow farmers and fishermen. We will make sure that they will benefit from the fruits of their hard work and efforts)," he added.
According to Laurel, he will lay out his plans as agriculture secretary in the following days.
The new DA chief said his office will always be open for farmers and fishers.
“Handa akong makinig at makatrabaho kayo. Higit sa lahat, ako ay handa na magtrabaho para sa inyo (I am ready to listen and work with you. Above all, I am ready to work for you),” he said.
Further, Laurel said that farmers and fishers are very close to his heart because he has personally witnessed their struggles and dreams.
“Lubos po akong naniniwala na kaya nating mapalago ang produksyon ng ating agrikultura sa tulong ng ating Presidente. Ngunit hindi ko ito kakayaning mag-isa, kailangan ko ang tulong at pakikiisa ninyo at ng buong sambayanang Pilipino (I am confident that with our President's assistance, we can increase our agricultural production. But I can't accomplish it alone; I need your assistance and the support of the entire Filipino people),” he ended.
Message to new DA chief
In a statement, Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) urged Laurel to “do away” with liberalization policies that allow importation of agri-fisheries products at the expense of local food producers.
“The fishers are giving a standing order to the new DA Secretary to strengthen local food production by renouncing liberalization policies of importation of agricultural and fisheries products. From 2018 to 2022, we have monitored more than 200, 000 metric tons of various pelagic fishes imported from other countries like China and Taiwan. This is an insult not only to us being an archipelagic country, but also to millions of Filipinos involved in the fishing sector,” Pamalakaya Chairperson Fernando Hicap stated.
The fishers’ group said the new DA secretary should know that opening floodgates for imported fishery products poses drastic impacts on the livelihood of local fisherfolk.
“Cheap and inferior quality imported fish causes further price drop of local fishery products. For instance, every time the Philippine government allows importation of tens of thousands of metric tons of round scad (galunggong), the farm gate value of the aforementioned fish product further drops from P70-P80 per kilogram to P50-P60 per kilogram at all-time low,” it added.
Laurel has been the president of the Frabelle Fishing Corporation—a deep-sea fishing company—since 1985.