President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the Department of Agriculture to control the prices of agricultural commodities, which have been increasing due to several factors, including climate change, the swine flu, and the avian flu.

In a press briefing, after Marcos appointed Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. as the Agriculture Secretary, the Chief Executive said DA's priority should be to control prices in the immediate term and then to consider longer-term solutions, such as increasing production and reducing the cost of production.

"We will be looking at what our neighboring countries are doing, such as Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam, and perhaps we can learn from them things that can be applied here in the Philippines," Marcos said.

Marcos's order comes as the prices of several agricultural commodities, including rice, pork, and chicken, have been rising in recent months. This has caused hardship for many Filipinos, especially those living in poverty.

Laurel, for his part, said that he met with DA personnel on Friday to discuss how to implement the President's orders.

"I'm asking for their full cooperation because the department must be united in pursuing a common goal, which is essentially modernization and increased production," Laurel said.

Laurel said that he will implement the President's plans to the letter and that he needs the team to be unified and committed to achieving their objectives and meeting their targets.

There are high expectations for the fishing magnate as he steps into the role previously held by the Philippine President since leading a significant agency responsible for ensuring the nation's food supply is a formidable task.

Even President Marcos acknowledged that there is much work to be done, as he reflected on his first year as the head of the Department of Agriculture.

On Friday, President Marcos reiterated his directives to Laurel, which encompass controlling the prices of agricultural commodities, addressing the challenges posed by avian flu and African swine fever, and tackling alleged cartels that have negatively impacted Filipino consumers.

In addition to these responsibilities, Laurel will also need to navigate the agency's struggles in dealing with a problem he is likely familiar with the resistance of commercial fishing vessels to the DA's monitoring measures.

Laurel, a prominent figure in the fishing industry, assumed the post of Agriculture Secretary a year after Marcos handled the said department.

The President expressed his confidence in appointing Laurel, emphasizing their long-standing acquaintance from childhood and his role as a campaign contributor during the 2022 presidential elections.

During the announcement at Malacañang, Laurel delivered a brief speech in which he referred to Filipino farmers and fishermen as his close kin, highlighting his commitment to their welfare.

"Our farmer and fisherman brethren are close to my heart because I have personally witnessed their struggles and dreams," Laurel said. "Rest assured that my office will always be open for all of you," he added.