The government may surpass 100-percent rice self-sufficiency with its agricultural initiatives, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said in his weekly vlog released Saturday.

Marcos said his administration is pushing for various projects and programs that would help Filipinos overcome poverty and hunger, such as farm mechanization to help exceed the government’s rice self-sufficiency target.

“Sapat at murang pagkain pa rin ang siyang tanging magpapalaya sa atin sa gutom. Kung kaya’t walang tigil ang paglulunsad ng mga ganitong programa sa ating mga (Having a sufficient and affordable food will free us from hunger. That’s why we are relentless in our efforts to launch programs like this in our) agricultural regions,” he said in the video uploaded on his official Facebook account.

“Kapag matagumpay ito, buong bansa ang makikinabang at maaaring mahihigitan pa natin ang (If it becomes successful, the entire country will benefit and we may even attain over) 100-percent rice self-sufficiency,” Marcos added.

On May 31, Marcos approved the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program (MRIDP), crafted by the Department of Agriculture (DA) which he heads, as part of efforts to improve the agriculture sector.

Under the MRIDP, strategies would be carried out to support rice farmers, increase rice production, and strengthen the rice value chain.

Marcos said the government is ramping up its efforts to attain the 97.4 percent rice self-sufficiency target in the country.

Cash, livelihood assistance

Stressing his commitment to open more opportunities for Filipinos, Marcos said the government would continue to provide not just financial aid but also livelihood assistance.

Marcos cited the DA’s farming mechanization distribution, the Department of Labor and Employment’s livelihood and government internahip programs, the Department of Trade and Industry’s “Pangkabuhayan” sa Pagbangon at Ginhawa” Program, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s scholarship for trading for work program.

“Ang paglaya mula sa kahirapan ay isang patuloy na digmaan na hinaharap ng ating pamahalaan. Kaya ang distribusyon ng tulong na pansamantalang umaalalay sa ating mga kababayan ay hindi mawawala. Ito ang mga maagarang lunas na nakakapagdala ng ginhawa sa libu-libong pamilyang Pilipino (Lifting Filipinos out of poverty is a continuing battle of the government. That’s why we will continue the distribution of assistance to help our countrymen. This is the immediate solution that could give thousands of Filipino families a comfortable life),” he said.

“Ito ay hindi lang mga ayuda na salapi kundi ayuda ng pagkakataon para sa mamamayang Pilipino nang mabigyan sila ng pagkakataon na makapaghanapbuhay at hindi lang umaasa na tumatanggap ng biyaya (This is not just a cash assistance but also an assistance that gives Filipinos the opportunity to have a livelihood and not just rely on assistance),” Marcos added.

Robust economy

Marcos said the government is committed to revitalizing the Philippine economy to generate more job opportunities.

He said “healthy” relations with foreign allies and attracting more investments are vital in attaining his administration’s economic transformation bid.

“Pagkakaisa at pagkakaibigan sa mga bansang minsa’y naging bahagi ng ating kasaysayan [ang sagot] upang mabigyan ng mas maraming pagkakataon ang mga masisipag, magigiting at talentadong mga Pinoy (Unity and friendship with countries that are part of our history are vital to open more opportunities to our diligent, brave, and talented Pinoys),” Marcos said. (PNA)