Eyes DA reorganization, re-tooling of offices
INCOMING President Ferdinand “Bongbong “Marcos Jr. yesterday said he would head the Department of Agriculture to ensure immediate government action amid global developments like increase in oil prices and an anticipated food shortage.
Marcos, who will officially assume the presidency on June 30, said he will head the DA only temporarily.
“As to agriculture, I think that the problem is severe enough that I have decided to take on the portfolio of secretary of agriculture, at least for now,” Marcos said in a briefing at the BBM Headquarters in Mandaluyong City.
“We are forecasting that there will be a shortage, or there will be an increase in food prices in the next quarters, that will come simply because of the outside forces that have been impacting upon food supply, upon supply of feeds,” he told reporters.
He said his heading the department will also show he puts priority on the agriculture sector.
He said he intends to reorganize the Department of Agriculture, which will include reviewing functions and accomplishments of some agencies under the department, returning attached agencies, and re-tooling some offices to make these more responsive to the current and future situations and to the needs of the public.
“Marami tayong mga kailangan palitan… medyo mga iba’t ibang opisina na hindi na masyadong nagagamit o kailangan nang i-retool para sa post-pandemic, dahil nga iba na yung ating ginagawa ngayon (need to change a lot of things. We have a lot of offices that are not used properly or need to be retooled to make it responsive post-pandemic because they are doing other functions now),” he added.
Marcos reaffirmed his campaign plan to go back to basics and rebuild the value chain of agriculture.
“That is why I thought it is important that the President take that portfolio, not only to make it clear to everyone what a high priority we put on the agricultural sector, but also as a practical matter so that things move quickly because the events of the global economy are moving very quickly,” he added.
Marcos said his government is anticipating a food crisis that may involve either supply or prices of food in the next quarters due to the continuing global situation, including the war between Russia and Ukraine which has so far caused an increase in the price of oil.
He said measures being implemented by the government to cushion the impact of the rising prices and limits in supply in the world market are just temporary and “we have to plan in a more thorough fashion than just responding.”
Marcos has said he wants to bring down the price of rice to P20 per kilo but his incoming agrarian reform secretary, Conrado Estrella III, said it will be difficult to do. Estrella said the more doable price is P27 to P28.
TAXES, CABINET
Marcos thumbed down lowering or suspending excise tax on oil and fuel products amid the continued rise in the world market. He said he prefers to extend help to those who are “in danger of losing their livelihoods” because of oil price hikes instead, such as those in the transport sector.
The current Duterte government is providing fuel subsidies to public transportation drivers and operators, fuel discounts to farmers and fishermen, and free rides to the general public amid the rising cost of fuel.
On the possible increase of mining taxes, Marcos said any adjustment will still be studied.
He said his administration will also explore the possible halting or limiting the exportation of raw ore and other mining products to focus on processed minerals and other value-added products from the country’s mining sector.
China, Australia, Japan, and Canada are among the export destinations for the country’s raw and unprocessed mineral products.
Marcos said he will also ensure that mining operations in the country will be environmentally neutral.
Marcos, who met with his economic team met yesterday at the BBM headquarters, said he is also in the process of screening Cabinet appointees.
Marcos has yet to pick heads for the departments of health, foreign affairs, energy, transportation, environment, science and technology, information and communications, and higher education, among others.
Marcos affirmed that the K-to-12 program under the Department Education will be reviewed by incoming education secretary and Vice President-elect Sara Duterte.
He said he and Duterte discussed a lot of things about the education sector but he does not want to preempt the Vice President. He said all he insisted on is to ensure the welfare of the public school teachers not just through wages but also through their re-tooling and re-training and the supplies and equipment they may need while improving the country’s standing on subjects such as Math, English and Science.
Some sectors are calling for the removal of the K-to-12 system which they said is an additional burden to parents.
INAUGURATION PREPS
The PNP will implement the security template — used in Duterte’s inauguration last Sunday in Davao City — for Marcos’ inauguration at the National Museum of the Philippines in Ermita, Manila.
This was according to Maj. Gen. Valeriano de Leon, PNP director for operations, who was among those who oversaw the implementation of security measures during the inauguration of Duterte.
He will also play a key role to maintaining peace and order during Marcos’ inauguration.
De Leon said the all the strategies prepared and implemented during the inauguration of Duterte were “good lessons and experience” that can be used to ensure the success of the oath-taking of Marcos.
“Of course, there will be security adjustments depending on the location and situation on the ground, but overall, the successful security implementation during Vice President-elect Inday Sara’s inauguration served as a good security template that will be adopted on June 30,” said De Leon.
As to the salient points of the of the security template, De Leon said the PNP and AFP efforts were lumped together.
“There was a joint effort on security, peace and order and emergency preparedness,” said De Leon.
De Leon stressed freedom parks are the designated sites for protest actions. He advised protesters to remain in these areas when holding their demonstrations “to prevent any confrontation.”
De Leon said the policemen who will be tapped to secure the Marcos inauguration will exercise maximum tolerance.
“But we want to remind the protesters not to push us to our boundaries because we are always prepared to maintain peace and order,” said De Leon.
PNP spokeswoman Col. Jean Fajardo said some 6,200 will be tapped to secure the event “but we expect there will be adjustments.” She said “reserve force” is on standby, ready to be deployed anytime when the situation warrants.
She also said aircraft will not be allowed to fly within the one- kilometer radius of the inauguration site. — With Victor Reyes
