President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. | PHOTO: Screengrab from INQUIRER.net’s live
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. lamented Thursday the promise of every administration of food self-sufficiency, saying “none but one delivered.”
Marcos made the remark following his oath as the 17th president of the country, stressing that he would put the agriculture sector at the forefront.
“The role of agriculture cries for urgent attention that its neglect and misdirection now demands. Food self-sufficiency has been the key promise of every administration. None but one delivered,” Marcos said.
It was not clear who Marcos was referring to since he did not elaborate.
The president highlighted how the conflict between Ukraine and Russia has underscored issues in food security.
“Then came Ukraine, the most vulnerable when it comes to food are the countries farthest away from the conflict. Those bearing no blame for provoking. Yet they face the biggest risk of starvation,” Marcos said.
“Food sufficiency must get the preferential treatment,” he added.
Marcos earlier announced that he will head the Department of Agriculture “for now.”
“As for agriculture, I think that the problem is severe enough that I have decided to take on the portfolio of Secretary of Agriculture, at least for now,” Marcos said in a press briefing on June 20.
Marcos said that the move to head the agriculture department will “make it clear to everyone what a high priority we put on the agriculture sector.”