By Celeste Tamayo
MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. pledged enhanced support for the agricultural sector.
“Lagi po ninyong tandaan na kami sa pamahalaan ay walang tigil sa pagbibigay ng suporta sa inyong mga pangangailangan upang mapabuti ang sektor – mapabuti, mapatibay, mapalakas, at mapalaki ang sektor ng agrikultura,” Marcos said during the inauguration of the Sorosoro Ibaba Development Cooperative (SIDC) Grains Terminal and Trading Project in Barangay Simlong, Batangas City, on Thursday (March 13, 2024).
The President instructed the Department of Agriculture (DA) to work closely with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) to strengthen farmers’ cooperatives.
“Kaya inatasan ko ang DA na makipag-ugnayan sa CDA, Cooperative Development Authority, para patibayin at palakasin ang mga kooperatiba ng ating mga magsasaka,” the President added.
He also mentioned that, like SIDC, other cooperatives would receive government assistance to acquire new machinery and post-harvest facilities to boost both harvests and income.
Furthermore, the government will expedite irrigation and water pumping station projects and expand programs aimed at improving and increasing production through more effective and advanced technology.
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