BIZ BUZZ: Never enough
From farmlands to public markets, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has rolled out various measures this year to support farmers and fishers while keeping retail prices in check.
Yet, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. stressed that the work doesn’t stop there, as the DA continues to strike a delicate balance between protecting the local producers and consumers.
“I’m never impressed with myself,” Tiu Laurel said. “I always want the DA to be better.”
Tiu Laurel stopped short of rating his performance as DA chief.
The agriculture chief said the DA has come up with short- and long-term solutions to achieve its goal, from setting a maximum suggested retail price for certain agricultural products, shoring up depressed palay (unmilled rice) prices to selling cheaper rice at P20 a kilo to select beneficiaries, among others.
But is President Marcos satisfied with his performance?
“I cannot answer that. I hope that he’s happy but…,” he said. “You cannot ask him, ‘Okay ba ako, boss?’”
For Tiu Laurel, hearing no word from the chief executive may be a sign that he is on the right track.
“I think no news is good news. If you’re not being scolded, then you’re doing something right. I think the most important thing is we work hard. The entire team is focused,” he added.
