Magsasaka Part List backs Marcos plan to import fertilizers for distribution to farmers
THE MAGSASAKA Party-list, through its 1st nominee Robert Nazal, has expressed its full support for the plan of the Marcos administration to import fertilizers next year to boost local food production and help stabilize domestic food prices.
Nazal said the move spells good news for farmers as President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. intends to distribute some of these fertilizers to them for free.
“This is indeed a step in the right direction towards achieving food security while supporting our farmers and fighting rising food prices during this difficult period,” Nazal said.
The party-list leader said the distribution of free fertilizers to farmers is laudable given the importance of fertilizers in food production.
“Fertilizers are added to crops in order to produce enough food to feed the population,” Nazal pointed out.
“Fertilizers provide crops with nutrients, which allow crops to grow bigger, faster, and to produce more food,” he added.
President Marcos is set to sign a memorandum of agreement for the initial importation of 150,000 metric tons of fertilizer from China.
The procurement would be done through the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC), an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
President Marcos has instructed the Department of Agriculture (DA), DTI and PTIC to find ways to support farmers and lower soaring food prices.
The rising cost of urea, which is the commonly used fertilizers by farmers, has contributed to higher food prices.
The DA, which is currently headed by Marcos, has allocated P4.1 billion to buy 2.277 million bags of fertilizers, which will be given to farmers for free.
