TACLOBAN CITY – Senator Francis Tolentino expects President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to extensively discuss the country’s economic situation and the West Philippine Sea issue during his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22 at the Batasan Pambansa.
Tolentino, a political ally of Vice President Sara Duterte, commended the President for his handling of the economy but noted that there is still much to be done in the agriculture sector.
“He will probably address inflation and foreign policy, especially our issues in the West Philippine Sea,” Tolentino said on Thursday, July 18, in a brief interview on the sidelines of the 45th commencement exercises of Eastern Visayas State University in Jaro, Leyte, where he served as commencement speaker.
“The economy is doing well, but agriculture is somewhat lacking, though that’s partly due to El Niño. We can’t control El Niño,” he added.
The country’s agriculture sector has suffered extensively due to the El Niño phenomenon, or dry spell. As of June, the Department of Agriculture reported P9.89 billion in losses in the agriculture sector, affecting 170,469 hectares of farmland.
Meanwhile, Sen. Tolentino praised the Marcos administration for expanding the coverage of the P29 per kilo rice program.
“That’s a good move so that our citizens can afford it,” he said.
The Department of Agriculture earlier reported that the P29 per kilo rice program would expand from the current 13 Kadiwa Centers to 23 Kadiwa Centers beginning August 1. Additionally, the P29 per kilo rice will be available not only in Luzon but also in the provinces of Cebu and Maguindanao.
Sen. Tolentino assured the President that the Senate would continue to be his partner in implementing his programs.
“We in the Senate will expedite what needs to be done,” the senator said.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
