Marcos as DA chief: Let’s adopt climate resilient tech to prep for contingencies
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said that the Department of Agriculture (DA) must adapt to climate change by learning technology that would prepare the country for contingencies.
Marcos Jr. led the 125h Anniversary of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Quezon City, as he concurrently served as the DA chief — the only spot in his Cabinet without an appointed secretary.
“Despite some modern gains, marami pa tayo kailangan gawin. Kailangan natin pagmasdan, pag-aralan, at bantayan yung iba’t ibang pwersa na nararamdaman natin na kung minsan nagiging sagabal sa ating performance. ‘Yan ‘yung mga decreasing productivity, climate change, diminishing natural resources at nagbabago rin ang ating market,” said Marcos Jr. during his speech.
(Despite some modern gains, we have much to do. We must watch, study, and guard different forces that may hinder our performance. Decreasing productivity, climate change, diminishing natural resources, and changing markets.)
According to the President, the DA must adopt climate-resilient innovations to prepare the country for emergencies.
“Let us continue to engage in collaborative dialogue with experts, researchers, [and] rural workers to solve the roots of the lingering problems. Learn and adopt climate resilient and cutting-edge agricultural technologies so we can be prepared for prospective contingencies,” said Marcos Jr.
Marcos Jr. said that agriculture is necessary to the economy, vowing to champion the sector’s needs while maintaining environmental sustainability.
During the anniversary celebration, a Kadiwa ng Pangulo sold agricultural products at the DA. Serving as an extension of the Kadiwa ng Pasko, the program aims to sell more affordable food produce, especially in light of high inflation rates.
Rice at the Kadiwa ng Pangulo sold for as cheap as P25 per kilo. Onions, which experienced soaring prices in the latter part of 2022, were priced at P135 per kilo.
The DA is holding a weeklong celebration in celebration of its 125th Anniversary with the theme: Kagawaran ng Agrikultura: 125 taong naglilingkod tungo sa masaganang agrikultura at maunlad na ekonomiya (Department of Agriculture: 125 years in service towards a bountiful agriculture and a progressive economy).
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