To help ensure the country’s food security, Senator Robin Padilla vowed to do his part in ensuring the Department of Agriculture’s budget for 2024 gets the nod of lawmakers.
Padilla, in his message at the DA’s flag-raising ceremony, also urged the DA to support new Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. in his efforts to give Filipinos the gift of food security.
“Sa darating na panahon, sa usapin ng budget ninyo, kasama akong magdedepensa diyan. Kaya po sana suportahan natin ang bago nating kalihim sa kanyang pakikibaka, sa inyong pakikibaka sapagka’t walang pinakamagandang regalo tayo sa ating mga kababayan kundi ang sapat na pagkain,” the legislator said.
The lawmaker also lamented that while the Philippines is an agricultural country, he cannot understand why the agriculture sector cannot progress.
The senator stressed the government must make food security a top priority.
“Maghanap muna tayo ng paraan para magkaroon tayo ng sapat na pagkain.”
“Maghanap muna tayo ng paraan para magkaroon tayo ng sapat na pagkain,” he said.
During his message, Padilla noted Laurel is a close friend who supported him when he visited islands in the West Philippine Sea – having lent him the vessel he used in his visit.
He said that while neither he or Laurel pulled strings to get into the government, God gave them the responsibility to serve.
“Ngayon hindi po kami makakagawa kung hindi nyo po kami tutulungan.”
“Pero ito po ang mga bagay na ibinibigay ng Panginoong Diyos dahil marahil nasa kanya pong intensyon ay makatulong po kami sa inyo. Ngayon hindi po kami makakagawa kung hindi nyo po kami tutulungan,” Padilla concluded.
