JARO, Leyte — Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to accord priority to agriculture.
"The Philippine economy is doing well, but the President should prioritize agriculture. Our country was hit by the uncontrolled El Niño phenomenon, and that is understandable," Tolentino said in an ambush interview during the graduation rites of Eastern Visayas State University.
Marcos is yet to fulfill his campaign promise to bring the price of rice to P20 per kilo.
This year, the Philippines has once again emerged as the world's largest rice importer, projected to import 4.1 million metric tons (MMT), surpassing the 3.9 MMT import in 2023.
Marcos said that the government is bringing financial support to farmers and fishermen affected by El Niño after the weather phenomenon resulted in agricultural losses amounting to P367.54 million.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. shows the certificate of condonation he signed with Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella in Pangasinan on July 19, 2024. The certificate under the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (RA 11953) condones the debts incurred by agrarian reform beneficiaries and enable them to enjoy the fruits of their labor. At least 12 farmers from Region 1 received their certificates and mortgage releases. The President also distributed farm machinery, equipment, and cash aid to farmer cooperatives and selected beneficiaries. Meanwhile, about 4,600 farmers, fisherfolk, and their families received cash aid, livelihood assistance, and rice to address immediate food security needs. PPA POOL PHOTOS President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. shows the certificate of condonation he signed with Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella in Pangasinan on July 19, 2024. The certificate under the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (RA 11953) condones the debts incurred by agrarian reform beneficiaries and enable them to enjoy the fruits of their labor. At least 12 farmers from Region 1 received their certificates and mortgage releases. The President also distributed farm machinery, equipment, and cash aid to farmer cooperatives and selected beneficiaries. Meanwhile, about 4,600 farmers, fisherfolk, and their families received cash aid, livelihood assistance, and rice to address immediate food security needs. PPA POOL PHOTOS President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. shows the certificate of condonation he signed with Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella in Pangasinan on July 19, 2024. The certificate under the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (RA 11953) condones the debts incurred by agrarian reform beneficiaries and enable them to enjoy the fruits of their labor. At least 12 farmers from Region 1 received their certificates and mortgage releases. The President also distributed farm machinery, equipment, and cash aid to farmer cooperatives and selected beneficiaries. Meanwhile, about 4,600 farmers, fisherfolk, and their families received cash aid, livelihood assistance, and rice to address immediate food security needs. PPA POOL PHOTOS President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. shows the certificate of condonation he signed with Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella in Pangasinan on July 19, 2024. The certificate under the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (RA 11953) condones the debts incurred by agrarian reform beneficiaries and enable them to enjoy the fruits of their labor. At least 12 farmers from Region 1 received their certificates and mortgage releases. The President also distributed farm machinery, equipment, and cash aid to farmer cooperatives and selected beneficiaries. Meanwhile, about 4,600 farmers, fisherfolk, and their families received cash aid, livelihood assistance, and rice to address immediate food security needs. PPA POOL PHOTOS President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. shows the certificate of condonation he signed with Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella in Pangasinan on July 19, 2024. The certificate under the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (RA 11953) condones the debts incurred by agrarian reform beneficiaries and enable them to enjoy the fruits of their labor. At least 12 farmers from Region 1 received their certificates and mortgage releases. The President also distributed farm machinery, equipment, and cash aid to farmer cooperatives and selected beneficiaries. Meanwhile, about 4,600 farmers, fisherfolk, and their families received cash aid, livelihood assistance, and rice to address immediate food security needs. PPA POOL PHOTOS President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. shows the certificate of condonation he signed with Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella in Pangasinan on July 19, 2024. The certificate under the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (RA 11953) condones the debts incurred by agrarian reform beneficiaries and enable them to enjoy the fruits of their labor. At least 12 farmers from Region 1 received their certificates and mortgage releases. The President also distributed farm machinery, equipment, and cash aid to farmer cooperatives and selected beneficiaries. Meanwhile, about 4,600 farmers, fisherfolk, and their families received cash aid, livelihood assistance, and rice to address immediate food security needs. PPA POOL PHOTOS President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. shows the certificate of condonation he signed with Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella in Pangasinan on July 19, 2024. The certificate under the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (RA 11953) condones the debts incurred by agrarian reform beneficiaries and enable them to enjoy the fruits of their labor. At least 12 farmers from Region 1 received their certificates and mortgage releases. The President also distributed farm machinery, equipment, and cash aid to farmer cooperatives and selected beneficiaries. Meanwhile, about 4,600 farmers, fisherfolk, and their families received cash aid, livelihood assistance, and rice to address immediate food security needs. PPA POOL PHOTOS President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. shows the certificate of condonation he signed with Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella in Pangasinan on July 19, 2024. The certificate under the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (RA 11953) condones the debts incurred by agrarian reform beneficiaries and enable them to enjoy the fruits of their labor. At least 12 farmers from Region 1 received their certificates and mortgage releases. The President also distributed farm machinery, equipment, and cash aid to farmer cooperatives and selected beneficiaries. Meanwhile, about 4,600 farmers, fisherfolk, and their families received cash aid, livelihood assistance, and rice to address immediate food security needs. PPA POOL PHOTOS President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. shows the certificate of condonation he signed with Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella in Pangasinan on July 19, 2024. The certificate under the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (RA 11953) condones the debts incurred by agrarian reform beneficiaries and enable them to enjoy the fruits of their labor. At least 12 farmers from Region 1 received their certificates and mortgage releases. The President also distributed farm machinery, equipment, and cash aid to farmer cooperatives and selected beneficiaries. Meanwhile, about 4,600 farmers, fisherfolk, and their families received cash aid, livelihood assistance, and rice to address immediate food security needs. PPA POOL PHOTOS
"I am also expecting President Marcos to address inflation and West Philippine Sea issues in the upcoming State of the Nation Address," Tolentino added.
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said certain roads will be closed in connection with Marcos' third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said that traffic rerouting will be enforced by Task Force SONA 2024, led by the Philippine National Police and the Presidential Security Group.
A zipper lane or counter-flow will be implemented along Commonwealth Avenue (southbound portion) to make way for vehicles of government officials and visitors going to the National Legislative Complex.
Meanwhile, the Batasan-IBP Road will be closed to public vehicles starting at 8 a.m. on Monday.
Motorists were advised to take alternative routes to avoid heavy traffic along Commonwealth Avenue and around the Batasan complex.
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said it will be on full alert status starting Sunday.
A full alert indicates the highest level of readiness for all units, and no personnel are allowed to go on leave.
"We are on heightened alert such that on Sunday we will be on full alert. As of now, the threat level in Metro Manila is lowest and almost nil around the House of Representatives, which is a no-fly zone," said NCRPO chief MGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.
Nartatez added that an additional 1,000 policemen from Regions 3 and 4A will be deployed, raising the total number of law enforcement officers securing the SONA to 23,000.
Nartatez said the huge deployment was not an "overkill" but merely ensuring safety during the SONA.
He urged groups holding protests during the event to act within the bounds of the law.
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil assured the public that measures were in place to prevent an incident similar to the assassination attempt on former US president Donald Trump during the SONA.