Marcos sees 'promising' agriculture ties between Philippines, China

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said on Friday that he sees a promising relationship between the Philippines and China when it comes to agriculture after Beijing displayed what he called a "solid gesture of friendship" and donated over 20,000 metric tons of fertilizer.

Marcos made the statement after he witnessed the ceremonial turnover at the National Food Authority (NFA) warehouse in Valenzuela City.

"It’s very, very promising. As I mentioned in my remarks, during the program, it turns out that the priority that we put here in the Philippines on agriculture, the Chinese government as it was explained to me by President Xi when I went to visit him last January, was the same that their outlook, that their priorities are the same, that there is food supply, that there is affordable food supply, that the farmers are attended to and make a good living, and to solidify and strengthen our agricultural communities," Marcos said.

"So we can learn from one another in many, many ways, and that has been an ongoing process for long time now. Not just now, because of the food crisis that we are feeling around the world, but also we have a very similar priorities when it comes to agriculture, so I am very optimistic," he added.

Marcos also recalled that the conversation took place during a time when the Philippines was asking other countries for urea at a time when it's price was high. 

"I remember that it was a very good conversation that we had with your President, President Xi, in which he said that agriculture as well is a foundation of the Chinese economy and a necessity for the Chinese government to attend to because at the very basic level, government’s main responsibility is to take care of its people and a large part of that is to provide a good food supply for their people," he recalled.

"And that is where we had this meeting of the minds and that is why I am not surprised that immediately upon our request for any assistance in terms of fertilizer supply, China immediately understood the predicament that we were in and thus we have today the turnover of these 20,000 metric tons of Urea fertilizer from China to the Philippines," Marcos said.

Marcos noted that the donation would help the government's efforts "to boost agricultural production, our nation’s pursuit of food security."

The Presidential Communications Office said the fertilizers would be distributed to around 160,000 rice and corn farmers in Regions 1, 2, 3, 4A, and in Bicol that will cover 200,000 hectares at two bags per hectare.

It added that the regions would get the fertilizers and will be distributed to the farmers through vouchers to be issued by the local government units.

Marcos then thanked China for these fertilizers, branding it as a "solid gesture of friendship" between the two countries.

"So, on behalf of the Filipino people, let me extend our deepest gratitude and appreciation to the Chinese Government and its people for this donation—a solid gesture of friendship and goodwill that is in keeping with our long and storied history of trade and cultural exchange," he said.

Aside from that, Marcos also said he is optimistic with the trade ties between Manila and Beijing, saying that, "I cannot see it lessening, I can also see it growing." —VAL, GMA Integrated News