Marcos wants speedy delivery of farm inputs to Filipino farmers

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. directed Tuesday the Department of Agriculture to expedite the release of farm inputs to help local farmers meet targets in their farming calendar. 

In an open forum with farmers and irrigation associations, Marcos admitted that the coordination regarding farm inputs with farmers was poor. He noted that these inputs often come from far areas. 

"Kaya ang instruction ko sa Department of Agriculture, sabi ko, unang-una, at kung–, dapat eh… Habang maaga pa, bago pa magsimula ang planting season, dapat mayroon na tayong mga kinukuha na lahat ng mga ibang-ibang inputs na nandiyan na at ikalat na habang–, puwede naman natin ipag-antay 'yan eh," Marcos said.

(My instruction with the DA is to ensure that all farm inputs are already available even before the start of the planting season. The farming inputs should be gathered early and ready for distribution.)

"Halimbawa, pagka 'yung pataba, pagka 'yung fertilizer, pagka 'yung mga–, 'yung mga pesticide ay hindi naman–, puwede naman i-storage muna 'yan. Sabi ko, agahan ninyo ang bili para pagdating ng panahon ng planting season ay nandiyan na, hindi na aantayin na bibilhin pa lang, dadalhin pa lang dito sa Pilipinas kung imported pa, dadalhin pa sa lugar na kung saan nangailangan, eh ilang buwan 'yun," he added.

(For example, fertilizers and pesticides can be placed in storage. I told them, procure these items early so that farm inputs will be already available when the planting season arrives, avoiding months of waiting for their delivery in areas where they are urgently needed.) 

Earlier, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. ordered an investigation into alleged irregularities in the DA's procurement and distribution of farm inputs and machinery following complaints from several farmer groups.

Tiu Laurel said the probe would go beyond routine checks conducted earlier this year, which yielded no adverse findings.

The DA chief said the investigation is part of the agency's efforts to ensure that public funds are properly spent and any wrongdoing is uncovered. — VDV, GMA Integrated News