Inaprubahan ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., ang programa Department of Science and Technology (DOST) na layong palakasin ang sektor ng agrikultura sa bansa, sa pamamagitan ng home-grown machineries .
Sa sectoral meeting sa Malacañan, nagpahayag ng kumpiyansa ang pangulo sa programang ito, dahil bukod sa pagiging locally produced ay mas mura rin ito.
“For one thing, it’s (locally-produced machineries) cheaper. For sure, it’s always cheaper than the imported. We get to that point where it is always cheaper than the imported. We now have to scale it,” — Pnagulong Marcos.
Sabi pa ng Pangulo, siya mismo, nakakita na ng ganitong mga makinarya.
“Some of these things I see it already, ‘yung pinamimigay natin. ‘Yung mga iba– especially the towed machines that we use for harvesting, for tilling, nakikita na natin ang iba,” the Chief Executive said in referring to previous distribution of government support and services.” —Pangulong Marcos.
Ayon namay kay DOST Secretary Renato Solidum, ang shift na ito ng pamahalaan mula sa paga-angkat ng makinarya patungo sa pagtangkilik ng locally produced machines ay hindi lamang makakaambag sa agri sector ng bansa bagkus maging sa manufacturing industry ng Pilipinas.
“Mechanization is a key driver for improving efficiency and reducing cost in farming. The DA recognizes the need for mechanization. It has been providing farm implements to farmers and cooperatives, particularly through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund,” —Solidum.| ulat ni Racquel Bayan
