Former Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday said a five-year economic recovery plan is necessary to boost the agricultural sector.
Speaking to the media after holding a dialogue with farmers in Mabalacat, Pampanga on July 12, Cayetano said an economic recovery plan will ensure predictability and investor confidence.
“Kapag tayo po ay naglabas ng plano at nasunod ang plano, marami po ang mag-iinvest,” he said.
(Once we release a plan and ensure its implementation, many will invest in us.)
Cayetano said there is a need to prioritize agriculture in the country’s efforts to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and promote the sector’s role in the economy.
“Dito sa inyo, napakadaling sabihin na agriculture is a priority. Pero bumalik tayo sa siyudad, gagarantiya ko sa inyo, makakalimutan ang agriculture,” he said. “‘Di po talaga nalilink na yung mga farmers talaga yung naghihirap.”
(Over here, it’s easy to say that agriculture is a priority. But when you go to the cities, I assure you, people tend to forget about agriculture. They can’t link their needs to our farmers and their sacrifices.)
Cayetano said a long-term plan can help improve irrigation systems, farm-to-market roads, and the distribution of farming inputs like fertilizers.
He reiterated his call on presidential aspirants to work together with experts to produce a common plan for pandemic recovery.
“Ako’y naniniwala talaga lahat po ng nagbabalak tumakbong Pangulo ngayon, aminin man nila o hindi, dapat magsama-sama at gumawa ng five-year plan,” he said.
(I believe that everyone who wishes to run for President, whether they like it or not, should come together and craft a five-year plan.)