“Nakikiusap po kami dito sa Department of Agriculture (DA) na tayong lahat ay magtulungan para maresolba ang mga kasalukuyang problema ng sektor ng agrikultura dito sa ating bansa.”

Agriculture Secretary William Dar urged the local chief executives, farmers and fisherfolk, and the members of the public and private sectors to cooperate with the DA in tackling urgent agricultural concerns in the country such as the low price of palay and the threat of African Swine Fever.

“Hindi tayo dapat tumitigil na gumawa ng measures para mapaunlad ang mga magsasaka sa kabukiran,” Dar reported.

He told the local chief executives, “kaya natin ito kung tayo ay tulong-tulong. We have to do this responsibility together.”

Dar then emphasized the role of the local government units that are at the frontline in serving the agriculture and fisheries sector.

With everyone’s help, the agri chief is positive that by the end of his three-year term, the agriculture sector must reach at least 3-5 percent growth. ### (Gumamela Celes Bejarin, DA-AFID)