Headless DA no more: Issues in agriculture that Marcos leaves behindMANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday decided to relinquish his 17-month hold on the post of agricultural secretary, handpicking fishing tycoon and top campaign donor Francisco Laurel Jr. to replace him. The president also said that he is managing the DA directly to give "urgent attention" to the sector. A year and a half later, his successor is entering the DA as prices of basic goods and services, including agricultural products, are surging. Inflation rose to 6.1% in September — higher than the 5.3% recorded in August — which the Philippine Statistics Authority said is driven partly by skyrocketing food prices. PSAC was pushing for the “digitalization of agriculture and the development of the supply and value chains,” among other proposals.

Source: Philippine Star November 04, 2023 04:44 UTC