Bongbong Marcos vows to institutionalize financial assistance, loans for farmers

President Bongbong Marcos mentions the loans and financial assistance for farmers and fishermen during his first State of the Nation address, saying these will be part of his policy. Screengrab from RTVM live streaming

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said the loans and financial assistance for farmers and fishermen will be an “institution” in his administration.

Marcos, who is also the secretary of the Department of Agriculture, made the pledge during his first state of the nation address in Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City.

“Ang mga pautang at financial assistance sa mga magbubukid at mangingisda ay magiging institusyon at patakaran ng aking administrasyon,” Marcos said.

(Loans and financial assistance to farmers and fishermen will be an institution and policy of my administration.)

Aside from institutionalizing loan programs, Marcos also vowed that the government would seek to provide cheaper farm inputs, fertilizers, pesticides, seeds, and feeds while modernizing the agriculture and livestock industry through science and technology.

The Marcos government also pledged the establishment of a national network of farm-to-market roads as he bats for greater coordination of the value chain of the agriculture sector.

“Hindi ito magagawa sa isang araw, hindi magagawa sa isang buwan, o isang taon lamang,” Marcos said. “Ngunit kailangan na natin simulan ngayon.”

(We could not accomplish this in a day, for a month, and even for only a year. But we need to start now.)

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JPV