PNoy: Govt to invest more in agriculture

The government will be investing more in the construction of necessary infrastructure which would help facilitate the growth of agriculture in the country, President Benigno Aquino III said Wednesday.

 

In particular, Aquino said the Department of Public Works and Highways will be partnering with the Department of Agriculture to construct more farm-to-market roads.

 

"Even better news: these roads will be constructed with the same efficiency that the DPWH has displayed in its other projects—producing better quality roads at a lower cost, mostly ahead of time," he said during his speech at the Livestock Philippines 2013 Expo and Conference on Wednesday.

 

He said the farm-to-market roads that were constructed and rehabilitated from 2011 to June 2013 have linked 1,147 barangays to main road networks and markets, benefiting around 300,000 farmers. 

 

He also said that the country has a total of 131 operational accredited Livestock "Oksyon" Markets, which are centralized trading facilities for animals, across the country.

 

"This, on top of the ports, airports, and other transport hubs we are constructing and upgrading to improve transport and travel across the archipelago," he said.

 

Aquino also said that his administration will continue to make sure that disease control and health mechanisms are in place to ensure that the meat products are safe for consumption. — Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ, GMA News