MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. vowed on Thursday to take all the necessary measures to make the Philippines as the world’s “leading agricultural resource hub.”
Marcos emphasized during the opening ceremonies of the Agrilink/Foodlink/Aqualink 2022 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City the significance of ramping up efforts to improve the agricultural industry of the country.
“The work to improve our agricultural sector and improve the plight of our farmers and fisherfolk has only just begun. We need to continue to open more opportunities to improve their well-being. We are presently only playing catch up,” he said in his keynote speech.
“With our energies and resources combine, I am confident that we will not only achieve our goal of feeding the Filipino people but also achieve our dream of making the Philippines a leading agricultural resource hub in the region and the world,” Marcos added.
According to Marcos, he had decided to take on the portfolio as Agriculture secretary, in a bid to ensure the stability of food supply and prices in the country.
Reiterating his intention to pursue partnerships for the development of the agricultural sector, he emphasized that a “more resilient” and “more robust” agricultural sector is essential for economic growth.
“Now that we are beginning to see the shape of the new normal, I assure you that this administration is one with you in fulfilling our goals and targets for the agricultural sector. We will build ourselves back better, together with the people who have been our bedrock of strength and of sustenance even [during] the most challenging times,” Marcos said.
Marcos assured that his administration would continue to support and alleviate the plight of the farmers, fisherfolk, and livestock farmers and breeders.
“Because of them we have food on our tables, because of them we have the sustenance we need to pursue our endeavors for the betterment of our nation,” he said.
The government is currently implementing programs and offering assistance to the farmers, fishermen and livestock growers to improve their welfare, according to Marcos.
In addition, he lauded the organizers and attendees of the 27th Agrilink/Foodlink/Aqualink trade fairs, stating that it is an honor to collaborate with them to promote “holistic” methods that would progress the agricultural industry.
“It is this commendable that in its iteration, this event has yielded various innovations and recommended solutions that help make our agriculture sector more robust and more resilient,” he said.
The Agrilink/Foodlink/Aqualink 2022, organized by the Foundation for Resource Linkage and Development, is the country’s largest, most influential and internationally recognized trade exhibition on agriculture, food and aquaculture
“I recognize your efforts to modernize the way we produce and market our foods, to further empower our farmers and agricultural workers to do better to work smarter to yield more and to have a better living. Now that we are beginning to see the shape of the new normal,” Marcos added.
More than 500 indoor trades, retail booths and outdoor booths showcasing agribusiness products, information, technologies, market linkages, promotion, equipment and services are participating in the three-day agribusiness exhibition that will be conducted from October 6 to 8.
The theme of the event of this year is “Inclusive Growth in Agribusiness Chain: Key to Stability,” where the Caraga Region take the spotlight, focusing on the roadmap towards enhancing the competitiveness of its three high-value crops, namely cocoa, coffee and abaca.
