PBBM wants to work with private sector to aid farmers

MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has asked the assistance of the private sector in order to help the farmers.

Marcos shared in a Facebook post the photos of his meeting with members of the Private Sector Advisory Council at Malacañang Palace in Manila on Thursday.

Marcos, who is also the agriculture czar, stated that he was “excited” to collaborate with the private sector to improve the agricultural sector.

“I thank the members of the Private Sector Advisory Council for joining us in a meeting to discuss and exchange ideas about scaling up our agricultural sector,” he said. “It is refreshing to hear ideas from them, and I’m excited to establish programs with the cooperation of the private sector to help our farmers.”

However, Marcos did not elaborate on the exact programs he plans to implement to improve the agriculture industry.

Marcos vowed in a press briefing on July 5 to look for long-term solutions to address the problems plaguing the country’s agriculture sector.

He made the vow while emphasizing that “robust” agriculture is essential to establishing a stronger economy.

Marcos also stressed the importance to increase the production of staples such as rice and corn, as well as livestock and fisheries.

One of the short-term solutions, he said, is to boost food production for the rest of 2022.

He also committed to find ways to resolve the food price crisis.

“We still have to feed our people and so, we still have to find strategies to make sure that those who are in need are supported by the government as best as we can do,” Marcos said.