MANILA - A party-list lawmaker is hoping for a bigger budget for the agriculture sector in the next administration to address the looming global food crisis. In a statement on Wednesday, Magsasaka Party-list Rep. Argel Cabatbat said the food crisis fears and other forces that affect food supply could be addressed immediately with President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. taking over the helm of the Department of Agriculture (DA). "We were surprised that the President-elect chose to head the DA. But it's a pleasant surprise. This means, he recognizes there is a problem in the agency and farmers need immediate help. This is a welcome development, especially now that the country is facing a food crisis," Cabatbat said. Cabatbat said the government should infuse a budget of at least PHP400 billion into the agriculture sector to help farmers and other workers cope with rising fertilizer prices, unabated oil price surges, climate change, and other losses due to
MANILA - A lawmaker on Tuesday lauded the decision of President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to head the Department of Agriculture (DA) when he assumes office on June 30 as it puts a premium on agriculture ahead of a looming global food crunch. Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte said it is a "wise decision" for the incoming administration to prioritize agriculture given that the country's food supply woes arising from low rural productivity and unbridled population growth have been exacerbated by other global events such as the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, sky-high oil prices, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "We commend BBM's decision to head the DA when he takes over the presidency next week as this sends the crystal clear message that his incoming administration is giving No. 1 priority to agricultural modernization and food security, if not self-sufficiency," Villafuerte said in a statement. With his campaign promise to uplift the lives of all