Thumbnail photo courtesy of PCO.

HAGONOY, Davao del Sur (PIA) -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. pitched for more agricultural investments in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) during his visit on October 12 in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur, to inaugurate the multi-billion-peso world-class Davao Multi-Tier Broiler Farm owned by San Miguel Foods Inc.

The President emphasized the need to industrialize agriculture while also partnering with local producers and farmers to provide livelihoods to the local community.

“This is the way forward;  this is what we will have to do to industrialize our agricultural sector so that we will be able to provide sufficient food for our people at the price that they can afford, allowing the producers, the farmers, nag-aalaga ng baboy, nag-aalaga ng manok ay mayroon din silang pinagkikitaan,” President Marcos said.

He then pitched to his audience, which included San Miguel Corporation (SMC) President and Chief Executive Officer Ramon S. Ang, to put investments in the BARMM region.

In his speech, Ang said that aside from the facility in Hagonoy, SMC will be building 11 modern and massive poultry mega-farms across the country. Among the areas in the country that Ang is considering will be in Maguindanao.

“Nag-isip-isip ako sa Maguindanao, bakit doon? Kasi po sana mabigyan natin sila ng food security, and at the same time, maka-create tayo ng trabaho at economy doon,” he said.

Ang reiterated his commitment to help the government create jobs in the countryside while at the same time promoting agricultural production in the country.

“Mahal na Pangulo eto pong tawag ninyo nagawan namin (Our dear President, we acted to your call), and we will make sure na we will continuously develop and make more meaningful projects to help create jobs and minimize the reliance on imported food,” the San Miguel CEO said.

He also proposed the leasing of lands or entering into a joint venture with the government to tap agricultural lands in Mindanao.

“Napakarami po nating lupa roon pwede ho natin taniman  ng palm oil,bigas, corn or anything,” Ang said. (RGA/PIA Davao)