By Carla Natividad
GAMU, Isabela- Farmers pleaded for help amid sluggish rice sales because of high inputs. Instead of making their lives easier, it made them more miserable. The group of farmers asked the government for help and guidance.
“Gusto namin yung mga presyo ng mais namin palay ganon tumaas kasi parang pinamigay na lang namin yung produkto namin kasi ang mura at yung mga fertilizers gusto namin bumaba sana,” Evangelino Carballo, 62-year-old, farmer from Gamu, Isabela said.
On Monday, July 25, 2022, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his first State of the Nation Address (SONA). Marcos stated that one approach in resolving the issues would be to increase agricultural production during the planting season by supplying farmers with financial assistance.
“Masaya ako kasi sinabi ng ating mahal na pangulo sa SONA niya na moral sa mga kagaya kong farmers na sinabi niya na tutukan niya yung mga problema naming mga magsasaka,” Harold Carballo, 33-year-old a farmer from Gamu, Isabela said.
President Marcos pledged to provide subsidies for farmers amidst the price hikes of fertilizers, pesticides, and other agricultural supplies.
He also stated that farmers would be his administration’s top priority. #
