LIVE UPDATES: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s first State of the Nation Address

AGRI CHIEF. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. presides over a meeting with Department of Agriculture officials on July 18, 2022.

Marcos’ decision to serve as agriculture chief is a gutsy one, in a way, because of the gargantuan challenge of uplifting a sector so long neglected, and one close to the stomachs of so many Filipinos. Unlike presidents who had alter-egos who could absorb the blame, the buck stops with Marcos here.

No wonder his campaign promise to bring the price of rice to P20 per kilogram got a lot of attention from ordinary Filipinos.

“Siya na nakaupo sa gobyerno, sana ‘yung pangako niya matupad na (He’s the one now in power, we hope he lives up to his promise),” said Marikina baker Ado Bartolata who’s had to halve the weight of his monay and add a peso to its price because of the high cost of ingredients.

What has Marcos done in his first month as agriculture secretary? Read more.