Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 3) — Newly-appointed Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., the tycoon behind food manufacturing giant Frabelle Fishing Corp., said he would push for the modernization of the sector to pump up local farmers’ production.
In a speech on Friday, Laurel said he would continue President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s programs in the sector.
While he plans to bare his detailed platform in the coming days, Laurel said he would exhaust more efforts on modernizing the agriculture sector, seeing it as a crucial move to ensure food supply.
“Layunin ko na tiyakin na may sapat at masustansyang pagkain na mabibili ng ating mga kababayan sa tamang halaga. Susi dito ang modernisasyon ng sektor ng agrikultura kasabay ng pagpapabuti sa kapakanan ng mga kapatid nating magsasaka at mangingisda,” he said.
[Translation: My goal is to ensure that there is enough and healthy food that our countrymen can buy at the right price. Key to this is the modernization of the agricultural sector along with improving the welfare of our fellow farmers and fishermen.]
Laurel also said he is open to working with the public and industry players.
The new DA chief said he would go to the department’s office to meet its employees.
“I need the team to be intact,” Laurel said.
Marcos appointed Laurel almost a year and a half after he assumed the leadership of the department.
READ: Marcos appoints fishing tycoon Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. as new Agriculture chief
Aside from modernization, the president also wants Laurel to find new strategies to soften the impact of climate change on Filipino farmers.
With his appointment, Laurel already divested his interests from his companies, Presidential Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said.
