President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. vowed on Saturday to confront deep-rooted challenges in the agricultural sector and set it on a path towards revitalisation.

Speaking at a rally, Marcos addressed the longstanding struggles faced by the country’s farmers, many of whom continue to battle high food prices and inadequate support systems.

He noted that these issues have been a significant burden on Filipino households, particularly in rural areas.

“We are now fixing our agriculture. We’ve seen the condition of our farmers and the high prices of goods. That’s why we need to address it,” Marcos said in Filipino.

The President said that when he assumed office, the agricultural landscape was in a “very weak state.”

Over the past two years, the government has constructed 150 rice processing plants, with 20 additional plants to be completed in 2025, with another 50 under construction.

On 1 May, the National Food Authority launched its P20-per-kilo rice program in Cebu, which saw long lines as consumers rushed to purchase affordable rice, particularly from vulnerable sectors like senior citizens and solo parents.