President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. hopes for a better agricultural sector in the Philippines in order to sustain the livelihood of Filipino farmers.
“(Sana) maging maayos na ang agrikultura at malaman na natin kung ano ba talaga ang weather – wet season ba? o dry season para naman matulungan natin ‘yung mga farmer natin,” remarked President Marcos, when asked if he has any birthday wish as he turns 66 years old on Thursday, September 13.
President Marcos was greeted by the employees of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and guests at the sidelines of the presentation of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (Republic Act No. 11953) and the signing of the Executive Order extending the moratorium on agrarian debt on Tuesday.
The chief executive, who is also the concurrent secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA), emphasized that ensuring the welfare of Filipino farmers, and praying to protect their crops and abundant harvests have always been his birthday wish.
As the DAR presented the IRR of RA 11953, the President announced, “I have also signed just now Executive Order (EO) for the two-year extension of EO No. 4, s. 2023.”
President Marcos earlier signed an executive order for the two-year extension of a moratorium on amortization payments by farmer-beneficiaries on agrarian debt.
“This provides for the moratorium on the payment of the principal obligation and interest on amortization payable by the agrarian reform beneficiary, to include even those who were not covered by the New Emancipation Law,” he added.
EO 4, which is set to expire on September 13, provides for a moratorium on the payment of the principal obligation and interest on amortization payable by the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) for a period of one year from the date of its effectivity.
The ARBs need continuous economic relief due to the disruptive effects of the pandemic, climate change, and the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. The extension of EO 4 aims to include ARBs not covered by the NAEA, which only covers ARBs who have been indebted to the government as law took effect last July.
During the event, President Marcos called on everyone to support and take part in the implementation of NAEA as he noted a whole-of-nation approach is vital to achieve its goals and secure food production in the future.
The chief executive also urged the DAR, along with other concerned agencies, to strive for a smooth and immediate execution of the IRR to free the beneficiaries from the burden of debts and reap the benefits from the lands that they cultivate. PND
