Govt puts high premium on agri, food security—PBBM

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday called for more industrialized agriculture facilities to address food security in the country amid population density and the current geopolitical situation.

In his speech during the inauguration of San Miguel Foods' Magnolia Poultry Farm in Davao del Sur, Marcos said the country wants to put a high premium on investments in agriculture.

"It is the key to combating hunger and poverty and achieving our goal of food sufficiency and security across the country," Marcos said.

"Once realized, these will ensure a more stable, sufficient, and cost-competitive supply of chicken as well as bolster the food and nutritional needs of our people," he added.

Marcos said the newly inaugurated Magnolia Poultry Farm of San Miguel shows local and foreign investors that the Philippines is ready for any initiatives that "are advantageous to the food supply."

"We can adapt here and adjust it to the Philippine conditions," Marcos said. "The most important part is that people realize that this is the way forward. We can no longer depend on the informal production of food in the way that we have depended on for a very, very long time," he added.

Marcos assures Filipinos of stable egg, chicken prices during Christmas

Meanwhile, Marcos assured the public that egg and chicken prices will remain stable this Christmas season, thanks to new measures implemented by the government.

In a media interview in Hagonoy, Marcos was asked about the impact of the government's measures on egg and chicken prices, especially with the holiday season approaching.

"Naturally, when there's a good supply, prices won't increase too much," Marcos said. "Of course, during Christmas, there's usually an increase in demand because of many parties and celebrations. But with these measures in place, we probably won't have to worry too much about prices fluctuating up and down."

Marcos explained that the government's new measures include increasing the importation of eggs and chicken, as well as providing subsidies to local farmers and producers.

"That's how it usually goes. It's just a matter of demand and supply," Marcos said. "Demand goes up, but there's a substantial supply, so the supply curve is relatively flat. So, prices probably won't change too much."

The chief executive is in Hagonoy, Davao Del Sur on Thursday to lead the inauguration of the world-class controlled-climate Magnolia poultry farm of the San Miguel Corporation.

This poultry farm is expected to include 28 world-class climate-controlled farmhouses to guarantee the best possible conditions for poultry growing and production.

It is projected to produce up to 80 million chickens every year to meet the increasing demand for chicken products in Mindanao and create 1,000 jobs.

Ten other world-class poultry farms will be built by SMC all over the country in the coming months in response to the President's call for the private sector to help ensure food security in the country.