Push Admin

In this handout photo from the Presidential Communications Office, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the ceremonial harvest of palay in Candaba, Pampanga on February 3, 2024. PCO Handout

Article (news)

Marcos Jr. promises irrigation, support for farmers amid El Niño

JOSE CARRETERO

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/425652878_789711556514906_5444677715878484810_n.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="In this handout photo from the Presidential Communications Office, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the ceremonial harvest of palay in Candaba, Pampanga on February 3, 2024. PCO Handout"/><span class="fr-inner">In this handout photo from the Presidential Communications Office, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the ceremonial harvest of palay in Candaba, Pampanga on February 3, 2024. <em>PCO Handout</em></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. led the ceremonial palay harvesting in a farm in Barangay Mandili in Candaba, Pampanga on Saturday morning, saying it signals progress in rice production and in the agriculture sector.</p><p>He was joined by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and by local officials.</p><p>Marcos said the palay yield last year reached 20 million metric tons, higher by 300,000 metric tons, or 1.5 percent, than in 2022.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/1/30/vietnam-to-supply-ph-with-1-5-m-metric-tons-of-affordable-rice-annually-until-2029-028" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vietnam to supply PH with 1.5-M metric tons of ‘affordable’ rice annually until 2029</a></div><p>He said the the increase in yield was the result of government distribution of high-yield varieties and of fertilizers to farmers.</p><p>He said the government will prioritize the construction of solar-powered irrigation facilities that will help provide sufficient water in planting areas where farmers rely on the rain.</p><p>The irrigation will help farmers reach the target of having three cropping seasons.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/24/24/drought-in-8-provinces-dry-spell-in-metro-manila-as-el-nio-intensifies" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Drought in 8 provinces, dry spell in Metro Manila as El Niño intensifies</a></div><div><strong>EL NIÑO MAY STILL WORSEN</strong></div><p>Meanwhile, Marcos said, El Niño continues to affect farmers in the country, with the effects possibly worsening towards June.</p><p>He said the effects of El Niño will be felt until the end of the year.</p><p>He assured farmers, however, that the government will help those affected by lower than usual rainfall.</p><p>Farmers at the Candaba event were given farming equipment such as rice combine harvesters, riding-type rice transplanters and four-wheel tractors, as well as palay seeds.</p><p>More than 3,000 farmers also received financial assistance worth P5,000. </p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div>

<p>President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. led the ceremonial palay harvesting in a farm in Barangay Mandili in Candaba Pampanga this morning. President Marcos was joined by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., and some local officials of Candaba, Pampanga.</p>

President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. led the ceremonial palay harvesting in a farm in Barangay Mandili in Candaba Pampanga this morning. President Marcos was joined by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., and some local officials of Candaba, Pampanga.