Senators want Marcos to focus more on agriculture

While senators approved of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.'s performance in his first 365 days in office, some lawmakers would have preferred to see him take more action on agricultural problems.

At the Kapihan sa Senado Thursday, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri gave Marcos' first year in office an eight out of 10 rating.

Nevertheless, Zubiri stressed the need to focus on rural development so the agriculture sector would thrive.

“I think he is doing a very fine job. If you ask me for a grade, 8 out of 10. Napakasipag niya from day one. He started his mandate running. Of course, he is being hounded by inflationary problems, problems of high cost of goods, food and fuel. Some of which are beyond his control,” said Zubiri.

“I think, kailangan niya ituloy tutukan ang agriculture sector. Remember that rural development is the key to uplifting poverty. ‘Yung pinakamalaking poverty rates natin ay nasa rural areas which is basically 90 percent agriculture,” he said.

The lawmaker stressed the need to fix the value chain in agriculture and strengthen the government's farm to table programs to lower food prices.

Zubiri acknowledged that Marcos was doing his best to address the current problems in the country, but he said the President needed the support of the Filipinos.

“He is doing his best kaya dapat suportahan natin ang ating pangulo. We are just in one ship. If you want to support the ship, let’s help it move forward and move towards achieving poverty alleviation for our people,” he said.

In contrast, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said that Marcos had “not made any headway in our problems in the agricultural sector. In sugar matters alone, his administration has had two controversies in less than one year in office.”

The lawmaker also said in his statement that smuggling in the country was still rampant, the prices of onions and other basic food items were still very expensive and beyond the means of ordinary citizens.

Further, Pimentel said inflation was still a problem in the country.

“I believe PBBM can be greatly helped by the appointment of a regular Secretary of the Department of Agriculture,” Pimentel said.

Senate President Loren Legarda agreed that Marcos was “hardworking” and he was able to reach out to the world even when there were “some windows that were closed in the past.”

For Legarda, Marcos must work with newly appointed Health Secretary Ted Herbosa, as the Health Department position was vacant for almost a year.

The President also needed to work with the agriculture sector, especially after the Senate concurred with the ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which would affect the local agriculture sector.

Although she noted that it was Marcos’ prerogative to appoint a permanent Agriculture secretary, Legarda hoped there would be an individual who would focus on the sector's problems.

Whether Marcos stays as the chief of the Department of Agriculture or not, Legarda said agricultural smuggling in the country had to be stopped.

Senator Robin Padilla also praised Marcos’ efforts during his first year in office, saying the administration's programs focused on boosting the economy.

But the lawmaker hoped that the President, as acting secretary of the Department of Agriculture, would implement its mandate and help the farmers in the provinces.

“Sa Nueva Ecija, ang mga tao doon, inaasahan nila na darating ang panahon na ang DA ay ma-implement na nang tama ang mga mandato nila… Yan ang sinasabi ng karamihan ng mga magsasaka--na sana magkaroon ng secretary. Pero di natin alam kung ano ang nasa utak ni PBBM. Baka meron siyang grand plan na maging effective,” he said.

For his part, Senator Jinggoy Estrada said he was “fully satisfied” with Marcos’ performance, but he echoed his colleagues' call for the appointment of a permanent Agriculture secretary.

“Siguro ang sa akin lang kailangan na pumili ng… permanent agriculture secretary kasi siyempre bilang Presidente, marami siyang problema at trabaho, tapos aasikasuhin mo pa yung isang departamento,” Estrada said.

Meanwhile, Senator Sonny Angara said the Marcos administration should continue promoting the Philippines as an investment destination.

“’Yung pagsabi niya sa mundo na bukas ulit yung Pilipinas, nakikita ko dun na gusto niya talaga magkaroon ng hanapbuhay dito, na sumigla yung ating ekonomiya dahil alam niyang ‘yun ang magpalalagay ng pagkain sa mga lamesa ng ating mga pamilya,” he said.

While the administration still has much to do in the coming years, Angara gave Marcos a 97 to 98 percent grade.

Advancing the national interests of the Philippines was also one of the things Senator Bong Go expected from the President.

“The President is our number one marketing agent who also manages efforts to bring in investments and opportunities for our people. Malaking bagay na siya mismo ang umikot to showcase the beauty and stability of our country,” said Go.

“I trust that President Bongbong Marcos continues to advance our national interests. Basta palagi lang dapat unahin ang interes at kapakanan ng mga Pilipino at ng ating bansa,” he added.

Senator Nancy Binay meanwhile acknowledged that the Marcos administration was able to face numerous post-pandemic challenges and was able to implement measures to revive the economy.

She likewise praised the President for appointing “tried and tested” public servants to the Cabinet.

“The goal is to push for more investment-driven strategies for long-term growth and development. And I believe that the strong investor confidence that the Philippines is reaping is brought by Malacanang's clarity and consistency in policies and investment direction,” she said.

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said the President's performance was “so far so good,” and he is doing his job “very well.”

But as a former police officer, Dela Rosa hoped that the cops involved in illegal drugs would be “sent to hell” and that the President won’t “make them enjoy their life.”

On Wednesday, Marcos said he agreed with an assessment that graded his performance as the highest official in the country as “incomplete.” 

Marcos said there are still a lot of things to do especially in the agriculture sector.

"Ang dami pa nating gagawin [We still have a lot to do], there are many, many things that we still need to do. We have to undo 30, 35, almost 40 years of neglect when it comes to the agricultural sector," he added.

Further, the President said delivering on his administration's promises was "a work in progress." — DVM, GMA Integrated News