In a ceremonial palay harvesting event in Candaba, Pampanga, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pledged on Saturday to create a “New Philippines” where hunger will no longer be a concern, thanks to a rejuvenated agriculture sector and robust government support.
Speaking in Filipino, President Marcos stated, “We will prioritize the development of our agriculture sector as a crucial step toward establishing a Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines) where no one will suffer from hunger, and all can actively strive for a more prosperous future.”
This promise comes after the president had previously assured Filipino voters of lowering the price of rice to P20 per kilogram during his 2022 campaign, a pledge yet to be realized.
President Marcos commended Filipino farmers for their hard work, highlighting the country’s record-high palay production of 20.06 million metric tons in 2023, a 1.5% increase from the 19.76 million metric tons produced in 2022.
To ensure sustained agricultural prosperity, President Marcos promised further government support. During the event, he distributed various forms of assistance, including hauling trucks, financial aid, and seeds, benefiting over 12,000 farmers and ten farmers’ cooperatives and associations.
Addressing the farmers, President Marcos expressed gratitude, saying, “Your dedication, sacrifice, and diligence serve as inspiration to us all. Your hands, working tirelessly on the land, breathe life and vitality into our nation.”
Accompanying the president at the event were Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa, Pampanga Rep. Anna York Bondoc, and several local officials.
It’s worth noting that President Marcos had previously held the position of Department of Agriculture secretary to address the country’s food crisis, which faced challenges such as rising food inflation, prompting calls from various progressive groups for his resignation from the post.