Marcos’ wish on 66th birthday: ‘Maging maayos ang agrikultura’

“Maging maayos na ang agrikultura.”

(For agriculture to be in a better state.)

This was the response of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. when asked what is his birthday wish.

Marcos, who also sits as Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, will turn 66 on September 13, Wednesday.

Marcos also said he wishes to know if the country is experiencing wet or dry season so that the government can assist farmers.

“At malaman na natin kung ano ba talaga ang weather, wet season ba o dry season para naman matulungan natin yung mga farmer natin. ‘Yun lamang naman ang aking panalangin pa rin hanggang ngayon,” Marcos said.

(And for us to know the weather whether it’s dry of wet season so that we could help farmers. That’s our prayer up to now.)

Meanwhile, during his speech at the presentation of the implementing rules and regulations of the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, Marcos said the IRR of the said law was the best gift he has received.

This as he expressed gratitude to the Department of Agrarian Reform for finishing the IRR.

“Magpapasalamat ako sa inyong lahat, lalong-lalo na sa mga staff at sa mga empleyado ng Department of Agrarian Reform. Alam ko hindi naman nangyari ito – hindi nangyari ito kung hindi sa inyong sipag at karunungan na maibuo itong IRR na ito,” Marcos said.

(I thank all of you, especially the staff and the employees of DAR. This will not prosper without your hard work and skills to finish the IRR.)

“At ako’y nagpapasalamat sa inyong lahat, sa lahat ng kasama natin upang mabuo natin ang IRR ng New Emancipation Law. On a personal note, nagpapasalamat ako – ito na yata ang pinakamagandang birthday gift na natanggap ko sa buong buhay ko,” he added.

(I thank all of you, all those who are involved so that the IRR will be finished. On a personal note, I thank all of you, I think this is the best birthday gift I have ever received in my life.)

Under his leadership, Marcos imposed a price cap on the price of rice to control the soar of prices.

Marcos also tasked concerned government agencies to curb the proliferation of agriculture smugglers and hoarders.

On his birthday, Marcos will fly to Singapore to attend and speak at the 10th Asian Conference in Singapore on September 13. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA Integrated News