00:00The Department of Agriculture, or DA, has received much of the president's attention
00:04and intervention since he began his governance in mid-2022.
00:09And it is the president's priority the country hits self-sufficiency in rice production
00:14and a measure of food security by the time he steps down from power.
00:18Our Claizel Cordelia enumerates the measures this administration has taken from farm machinery
00:24distribution, cold storage deployment, tariff reduction on rice imports,
00:29to climate smart mapping in this court.
00:31Under the Bagong Pilipinas movement, the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
00:55is firmly focused and clear in its goals.
00:58The agricultural sector, crucial for achieving food security and affordability,
01:03will receive the utmost attention.
01:06President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directly addressed the higher prices of rice.
01:12Project 29 was launched, selling rice at P29 per kilogram through Kadiwa stores.
01:19Its goal is to benefit the elderly, persons with disabilities,
01:23and the poor peace beneficiaries who are among the poorest Filipinos.
01:54President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. also signed Executive Order No. 62
02:02to curb the rising prices of food commodities and ensure adequate supply of food
02:07and other agricultural products amid global market challenges.
02:12From 35 percent, the tariff on imported rice was slashed and set at 15 percent.
02:18Similarly, tariffs were lowered for imported pork, corn, and other food products.
02:24The Department of Agriculture anticipates these measures will reduce food prices,
02:29particularly for rice, by July or August.
02:39In 2023, the Philippines achieved a record high rice production of 20 million metric tons.
02:46The agency plans to surpass or sustain the figure by implementing measures
02:51to mitigate the adverse impacts of El Niño and La Niña.
02:56Over 11,000 hectares of rice farms benefited from small-scale irrigation projects.
03:03Furthermore, water was distributed to an additional 46,000 hectares of land
03:08through newly established or expanded national and communal irrigation systems.
03:14This was accompanied by the distribution of P10,000 in cash aid to those affected by El Niño.
03:21Financial aid provided to farmers affected by El Niño has now reached P1.3 billion.
03:26In order to reduce farming expenses, enhance crop quality, and increase farmers' income,
03:48the Marcos Administration is distributing various types of machinery
03:53to make planting and harvesting more efficient.
03:56The DA is also constructing post-harvest facilities for drying rice and building
04:01old storage facilities to store excess supplies of vegetables and other produce.
04:26The Administration seeks to expedite the transport of produce from rural areas to cities.
04:42Hundreds of kilometers of farm-to-market roads have been constructed and are being utilized.
04:48As this project progresses, extensive preparations are being made for La Niña,
04:53where a procession of stores is expected.
04:56The National Food Authority purchases palay from farmers at a reasonable price,
05:02ready to establish a buffer stock or a rice supply that can be used during times of calamity.
05:24The Department of Agriculture is now conducting a climate-smart mapping.
05:29This involves identifying areas frequently hit by typhoons and prone to flooding.
05:34It is also where flood-resistant seeds are distributed, capable of surviving even when underwater.
05:53While improving food production, the Agency strengthens defenses
06:07against potential diseases and pests that may enter in our country.
06:12For the first time, the Department of Agriculture will establish five CEFA,
06:16or Cold Examination Facilities for Agriculture.
06:20This will serve as the first border facilities.
06:23Simultaneously, the DA is enhancing its presence in other ports
06:27across the country to eradicate agricultural smuggling.
06:31Since I sat down, we have caught one onion smuggler.
06:37Until now, it has been in prison since November.
06:39It's inunveilable.
06:41We also caught a sugar smuggler.
06:46We need to catch them.
06:48The Administration also focuses on other sectors of agriculture such as livestock farming.
06:54The DA's target to vaccinate hogs to prevent the spread of African swine fever.
06:59There is a vaccine for African swine flu that hopefully by this July,
07:04it will be approved and available for government procurement.
07:08We can inoculate the whole island of Mindoro so that it can be eradicated from that island.
07:15Hopefully, all provinces will be able to get rid of it and our swine industry can return to normal.
07:25With these initiatives, President 49R Marcos Jr. underscores his dedication
07:30to enhancing food security and uplifting Filipino farmers and fisherfolk
07:36while prioritizing affordable food and eradicating hunger across the nation.
07:55We are here to help you move forward in building a new Philippines.
08:05Let us work together so that all our dreams will come true.
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