President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said that well-funded and well-managed cooperatives will help farmers thrive as they make farming easier and yield better production.

In his speech during the National Cooperative Day 2023 in Malacañang, Marcos called on the country's cooperative movement to start the consolidation process for local farmers cooperatives associations, vowing government support in carrying out the effort.

"Cooperative movement is very closely related to agriculture for the simple reason that we need to consolidate our farmers," Marcos said.

He also said that a single farmer might have trouble getting his concern across, but a group of farmers working together will have a bigger voice.

"When you have a significant number of cooperatives, even your congressmen, your governor, and your mayor will start listening to you because the cooperative now has some influence," Marcos said.

The president said the country's agricultural operations must be strengthened and that cooperatives play an integral role.

"I look forward to the continued partnership between the cooperative movement and even the heightened participation in executing these programs, including those that concern food, transportation, security, financial literacy and social services," he said.

He added that his government fully supports the cooperatives in the country and that they are essential to the country's food security.

Marcos said he had strongly supported cooperatives since he was a young congressman.

He said that one of the first things he did as representative for the 2nd District of Ilocos Norte was to ask cooperatives to help teachers who were having trouble getting paid on time.

Hence, Marcos, who has been leading the charge to improve cooperatives in the Philippines, said that he wants the government, the Cooperative Development Authority, and the cooperative movement to work together.