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Marcos not keen on appointing new DA chief until agri problems are solved
Philippines
National
Marcos not keen on appointing new DA chief until agri problems are solved
Marcos not keen on appointing new DA chief until agri problems are solved
Published Jun 16, 2023 05:07 am
"They do not want me to leave."
This was what President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said when asked if he already has a prospect for the highest position in the Department of Agriculture (DA) which he currently holds.
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Photo courtesy of Malacañang)
"Tinatanong ko sa kanilang lahat, inaantay ko mag-volunteer sila mag-secretary. Ayaw akong paalisin, e (I am asking all of them, waiting for someone to volunteer to be the secretary. They do not want me to leave)," Marcos said in an interview on Friday, June 16. "So hanggat matapos where we have, you know the truth of the matter is is that we have really managed to make some very important structural changes in the DA so iniisa isa natin 'yan (we are dealing with that one by one)," he added. Marcos took over the agriculture portfolio when he assumed the presidency as he believed that there were crucial reforms that only the President could handle. He became the secretary at a time when prices of basic commodities were rising, and while supply of agricultural products such as rice and sugar was dwindling. He has been constantly saying that he will remain as the DA chief until key structural reforms are undertaken. "The problem had been was during the beginning of this year naging crisis lahat ng food supply, food prices , lahat, fertilizer prices, etc. (there have been crisis in food supply, food prices, all, including fertilizer prices, etc)," Marcos said. While the President believes that the situation in the agriculture sector is now getting better than after the pandemic, he emphasized he will only leave the DA when a system that will ensure stable food supply and prices is in place. "Ngayon na, more or less the prices of agricultural commodities are beginning to stabilize. Now we are going to make the structural changes that are important to increase production, to ensure the food supply of the Philippines not only rice, but also corn, also fisheries, also livestock so 'yan ang ating mga ginagawa ngayon para naman hindi tayo umabot ng crisis ng sitwasyon kagaya ng nadatnan natin after the pandemic (that's what we are doing now so we won't end up in the same situation after the pandemic)," he explained. "Kaya't ang aking hangarin para sa DA ay pag iniwanan ko ang (My goal before leaving DA),DA by that time we will have systems in place so that we can guarantee the food supply of the Philippines number 1: we can guarantee that the prices are affordable and number 2: that our farmers make a good living," he added. Marcos further said until these agricultural problems are not resolved, "I suppose you will just have to put up with me as the DA Secretary."
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Photo courtesy of Malacañang)
"Tinatanong ko sa kanilang lahat, inaantay ko mag-volunteer sila mag-secretary. Ayaw akong paalisin, e (I am asking all of them, waiting for someone to volunteer to be the secretary. They do not want me to leave)," Marcos said in an interview on Friday, June 16. "So hanggat matapos where we have, you know the truth of the matter is is that we have really managed to make some very important structural changes in the DA so iniisa isa natin 'yan (we are dealing with that one by one)," he added. Marcos took over the agriculture portfolio when he assumed the presidency as he believed that there were crucial reforms that only the President could handle. He became the secretary at a time when prices of basic commodities were rising, and while supply of agricultural products such as rice and sugar was dwindling. He has been constantly saying that he will remain as the DA chief until key structural reforms are undertaken. "The problem had been was during the beginning of this year naging crisis lahat ng food supply, food prices , lahat, fertilizer prices, etc. (there have been crisis in food supply, food prices, all, including fertilizer prices, etc)," Marcos said. While the President believes that the situation in the agriculture sector is now getting better than after the pandemic, he emphasized he will only leave the DA when a system that will ensure stable food supply and prices is in place. "Ngayon na, more or less the prices of agricultural commodities are beginning to stabilize. Now we are going to make the structural changes that are important to increase production, to ensure the food supply of the Philippines not only rice, but also corn, also fisheries, also livestock so 'yan ang ating mga ginagawa ngayon para naman hindi tayo umabot ng crisis ng sitwasyon kagaya ng nadatnan natin after the pandemic (that's what we are doing now so we won't end up in the same situation after the pandemic)," he explained. "Kaya't ang aking hangarin para sa DA ay pag iniwanan ko ang (My goal before leaving DA),DA by that time we will have systems in place so that we can guarantee the food supply of the Philippines number 1: we can guarantee that the prices are affordable and number 2: that our farmers make a good living," he added. Marcos further said until these agricultural problems are not resolved, "I suppose you will just have to put up with me as the DA Secretary."