SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go stressed how crucial it is to ensure the country’s food security to achieve inclusive economic recovery. He also urged authorities to address other issues besetting the agriculture sector, regardless of whether President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. chooses to appoint a secretary or remain as head of the Department of Agriculture.

“Gaya ng sinabi ko, prerogative po ‘yan ng Pangulo. That’s entirely up to the President,” said Go in an ambush interview after personally aiding fire victims in Malabon City.

“Importante naman po para sa atin, whether meron na tayong full-fledged (DA) secretary or kung si Pangulong Marcos po ang mananatili, importante ay mabigyan ng agarang solusyon ang isyu ng matataas na presyo ng farm products, mababang farm gate prices, at agricultural smuggling. Dapat mapigilan po itong smuggling,” he added.

Go then stressed that ordinary Filipinos, not smugglers, should reap the benefits of agriculture the most.

“Dapat po ang mga ordinaryong mamamayan ang makikinabang dito sa agriculture, hindi ‘yung mga smuggler, hindi lang ‘yung mga (malalaking) negosyante,” said Go.

He continued by urging authorities to prioritize the welfare of Filipino farmers in order to ensure a productive agricultural sector while providing economic opportunities in rural areas.

“Unahin po natin ang kapakanan ng ating mga farmers… Ang importante po buhay ang ating mga farmers, may hanapbuhay sila, tuluy-tuloy po ang kita dahil tandaan natin mayroon pong binubuhay na pamilya ang ating mga farmers. Maliliit lang po ang kita niyan. Ang importante walang magutom na Pilipino. Walang magutom na farmers,” he added.

In addition, Go advocated for greater investment in agriculture in order to increase farmers’ productivity. If the country’s economy is to continue growing, food security must be guaranteed, and inflation must be addressed, the senator emphasized.

“Ang pinakaimportante sa issue ngayon is itong food security. It’s very essential in our full and inclusive econmic recovery. Tsaka maagapan po ‘yung pagtaas ng presyo,” he added.

Go has been advocating for other programs to support farmers and fishers in the country. Previously, he pushed for the enhancement of the irrigation of farmlands and expansion of the National Rice Program, Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, among others.

He also earlier emphasized the need to invest heavily in the establishment of regional and big provincial storage facilities to prevent wastage of farm produce. The senator also stressed the need to promote agripreneurship.

The senator also reiterated the need to give more incentives to farmers’ children, such as scholarship grants, to encourage them to continue pursuing the growth of the agriculture sector.

Go also co-authored a Senate measure which became Republic Act No. 11901 or the “Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development Financing Enhancement Act of 2022”. The law provides for an agriculture, fisheries and rural development financing system to improve the productivity, income, competitiveness and welfare of the rural community beneficiaries, such as farmers and fisherfolk, as well as their cooperatives, organizations and associations, through government and private banking institutions.