The Department of Agriculture in Quezon City (Photo from its website)
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. attended his first executive committee meeting on Monday morning as head of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
The closed-door meeting was held at the Bureau of Soils and Water Management Office in Quezon City.
Marcos Jr. earlier said he will head the DA “for now” to “make it clear to everyone what a high priority we put on the agriculture sector.”
According to the DA, Marcos Jr. discussed with agriculture officials and the transition team during the meeting “urgent matters in the agriculture and fisheries sector,” including the food supply and demand outlook.
He likewise stressed that agriculture is a top priority, noting that the sector will be “critical to the country’s economic transformation.”
Marcos Jr. previously said that two areas he thought should be his priorities as he takes on the role of agriculture chief: increase rice production and re-organize the agency.
Particularly, he stressed the need to re-organize the DA’s attached agencies, National Food Authority, Food Terminal Incorporated, and the Kadiwa program.
RELATED STORIES
P20 per kilo price of rice ‘not yet possible,’ says agri chief
Incoming DAR chief admits P20 per kilo of rice ‘difficult’ to achieve now