Bongbong Marcos eyeing fertilizer supply deals with foreign governments

A farmer spreads fertilizer granules as he walks through his rice field in Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya (KARLSTON LAPNITEN/FILE PHOTO)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is mulling the possibility of pursuing government-to-government (G2G) deals to address the increasing cost of fertilizers. 

Marcos made the remark Monday as he met with officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA), saying the government can avail of cheaper fertilizers through the G2G deals.

The President currently serves as the concurrent agriculture secretary.

“Gusto tayong tulungan, gusto tayong lapitan, eh ‘di take advantage naman tayo, ‘di ba. Sige bigyan niyo kami ng fertilizer na medyo maganda-ganda ang presyo,” Marcos was quoted as saying in the meeting in a press release of the Palace.

(They want to help and approach us, then let’s take advantage of that. Give us fertilizer at a very good price.)

“That’s the whole point of G2G,” he added.

Marcos said he is looking into communicating with China, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, and Russia for the procurement of fertilizers.

“I’m thinking would it be useful for us if sulatan ko silang lahat… and I’ll say that we are in the market to buy this volume of fertilizer,” Marcos said.

In turn, Marcos asked agriculture officials to provide data on the source of and price of fertilizers, as well as the department’s distribution plan during the planting season.

Marcos earlier announced that he will temporarily head the agriculture department.

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.”

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