By JED MACAPAGAL and MYLA IGLESIAS
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. yesterday said agriculture needs “urgent attention” due to the “neglect and misdirection” the sector has experienced for years, a pronouncement that will determine the country’s food self-sufficiency direction.
In his inaugural address, Marcos also highlighted government’s role in addressing power supply security and in minimizing the impact of climate change.
Marcos also committed “to build (and) complete on schedule the projects that have been started,” referring to the infrastructure projects the previous administrations initiated.
“The role of agriculture cries for urgent attention that its neglect and misdirection now demands. Food self-sufficiency is the key promise of every administration. ..when it comes to food sufficiency a country should not produce, but import what other countries make more of and sell cheapest,” said Marcos, indicating his willingness to tap imports when necessary.
“An agriculture damage diminished by unfair competition will have a harder time or will have no prospects at all of recovering. Food sufficiency must get the preferential treatment.
The richest free trade countries always gave their agricultural sectors. Their policy boils down to don’t do as we do,” said Marcos, who will also be secretary of the Department of Agriculture in the interim.
Former DA secretary William Dar earlier said the Philippines may need to continue importing more rice and sugar due to lower local production.
Marcos also touched on the current problems of the global crude supply situation but did not give clear plans how to limit its local effects.
He also cited the existence of wind power plants in Ilocos but did not detail whether or not he will push for further investments in renewable energy for the whole country.
Marcos also tackled how the Philippines, despite despite being a small contributor of carbon footprint, must not lack efforts as the country is still the third biggest plastics polluter in the world.
“We will look to our partners and friends to help the Philippines wh(ich) despite having a very small carbon footprint is at the highest risk. First spare victims and help them recover and move on to lessen the harmful impact of climate change. We too have our part to play,” he said.
On infrastructure, Marcos is faced with with hundreds of unfinished projects in aviation, road, rail and maritime.
Among the major projects are the Metro Manila Subway and the massive North and South Commuter Rail.
Other projects include LRT-line extension project to Cavite, Metro Rail Transit line 7, common stations, Subic Clark railways and the Mindanao Railway phase 1 Tagum-Davao-Digos.
“Following these giants’ steps, we will continue to build, I will complete on schedule the projects that have been started. I am not interested in taking credit. I want to build on the success that’s already happening. We will be presenting the public with a comprehensive infrastructure plan, six years could be just about enough time,” Marcos said.
For seaports , over 160 projects are ongoing while in airports , over 60 projects are under construction.
Of the total 119 flagship projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways , 19 are expected to be completed by December and 88 projects are slated for completion by 2023 onwards.
