President Bongbong Marcos: “‘Yung iba’t-ibang bansa na hindi naman natin ini-importan noon ay nilalapitan na ngayon natin at baka sakali makabili tayo ng fertilizer na mas mura”
PRESIDENT BONGBONG MARCOS — The President said that the government is looking for “non-traditional” sources of fertilizer in order to help ensure that affordable supplies are available.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is also the Secretary of the Department of Agricuture (DA), said in his weekly vlog that pursuing government-to-government talks to buy cheaper fertilizers may help address surging prices.
Aside from this, there will be a distribution of discount e-vouchers which can be exchanged for fertilizer from accredited merchants.
The President said that government and the private sector are working together so that it would be cheaper for farmers and they would somehow be earning as well.
Earlier, Malacañang said that the President was considering negotiating with United Arab Emirates (UAE), Indonesia, Malaysia, China, and Russia for the procurement of cheaper fertilizers.
“Tayo naghahanap ng tinatawag na non-traditional [sources of fertilizer]. ‘Yung iba’t-ibang bansa na hindi naman natin ini-importan noon ay nilalapitan na ngayon natin at baka sakali makabili tayo ng fertilizer na mas mura,” the President said.
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It was last week when the President ordered the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to provide cheaper fertilizers for farmers.
Philippine News Agency reported that the sharp increase in fertilizer prices was exacerbated by the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, which started last February. Based on the report, Russia is the “largest global exporter of fertilizer”.
According to the DA’s Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority, the cost of urea (the most commonly used fertilizer) has increased to PHP 2,781 for every 50 kilograms, which was higher than PHP 1,321 a year ago.
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