Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. on Tuesday welcomed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s latest State of the Nation Address (SONA), saying it reaffirmed that agriculture remains at the center of the administration’s agenda—not only to strengthen food security but also to raise the incomes of millions of Filipino farmers and fisherfolk.
“The President made it clear that agriculture is not just about producing food—it is about creating opportunities for our farmers and fisherfolk to earn more and live better,” Tiu Laurel said. “I was particularly encouraged that he highlighted our push to expand agricultural exports because better markets mean better incomes for producers.”
Marcos devoted a substantial portion of his SONA to programs aimed at making food more affordable while improving farm productivity. He said the Benteng Bigas, Meron Na! program has already benefited more than 12 million Filipinos, while over 26,000 metric tons of rice have been distributed to more than 2.5 million families, with the government aiming to reach 8 million households.
He also noted the expansion of KADIWA ng Pangulo outlets to more than 800 to connect more consumers directly with farmers and fisherfolk, while nearly 2 million producers received fuel assistance under the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolk, and Families (PAFFF).
President Marcos also cited steady gains in the production of rice, corn, sugar, pork, and poultry since 2023, attributing the improvements to expanded irrigation, mechanization, modern farm technologies, insurance, and government support.
He noted the deployment of 145 rice processing systems, three large cold storage facilities, and nearly 40,000 farm machines, alongside an ambitious coconut replanting program that has already planted 18 million trees.
Marcos also pointed to a stronger National Food Authority capable of buying more palay at better prices and maintaining larger buffer stocks, while expanded crop insurance and the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve System are expected to bolster the country’s food security.
Tiu Laurel said President Marcos’ message was as much about the future as it was about current achievements.
“The President has consistently increased the Department of Agriculture’s budget because he understands that decades of underinvestment cannot be reversed overnight,” he said. “The foundation for a modern, competitive, and resilient agriculture sector is now being built, and our goal is to transform farmers and fisherfolk into successful agripreneurs.”
He said many of the administration’s flagship agricultural projects—including mega cold storage facilities, food hubs, hatcheries, food terminals, rice processing systems, dryers, irrigation systems, and farm-to-market roads—are already under construction and are expected to become “game changers” once completed.
Tiu Laurel added that recently enacted laws providing dedicated funding for the rice and livestock industries, together with the rollout of African swine fever vaccines and the Department of Agriculture’s hog repopulation program, should help restore the country’s swine industry and further strengthen long-term food security.
