PBBM: What's this I heard about Sen. Cynthia A. Villar's questioning our budget at the DA?
KA MON: Yes, Mr. President. Sen. Villar being an accountant saw that your regional directors and planners just added a budget to their present programs. And the policies remained anemic requiring a blood transfusion from concerned stakeholders with a sincere interest in a dynamic DA for nation-building. Such lack of impetus in DA under your leadership with bureaucrats becoming OICs is dangerous. There is nothing new and the DA has not crafted a new program to address your call for self-sufficiency during your SONA.
PBBM: You mean the Senate saw that there was nothing new even as I took over the helm of the department (which should be a creative/food production department towards poverty reduction and not a Social Welfare and Trade department) give notice to all that I am fully supporting DA programs and whatever the farmers' need.?
KA MON: Precisely Mr. President. Your taking over DA has put everything on hold since they do not know what will happen next when you leave. You are getting to be the problem at the Dept. of Agriculture.
PBBM: Oh. Come on! Ka Mon. Tell me what is wrong at the DA?
KA MON: Simple Sir. The DA even with the able leadership of your Senior Usec. Ding Panganiban is now in limbo. Other than changing office, your OIC Senior Usec cannot do anything more. Unless you are ready to now appoint him as your Secretary of Agriculture to insure his new OIC appointees of continuity especially when confirmed by Congress. Then they can help you steer the almost sinking Ship of State to the Land of Prosperity.
PBBM: Ok. If I did that what more can I do as I am intent in making Agriculture my priority where no one is left behind."
KA MON: Rose de la Cruz, an agricultural journalist for many decades says that your stint at the DA is "All talk, less action." Also, you were not even there to announce a new Aggie policy during the 77th Anniversary of WORLD FOOD DAY which you should have celebrated with other world leaders as the 17th President of the republic as candidate number 7 and the farmers giving you 16 million votes (which if you added as 1+6 is also 7). Now to answer your question, just reverse this Mr. President. For example, Congress can even add to your present budget request by declaring that every Region must be self-sufficient with a start-up budget for public investment of P billion each to develop their GET SMART FarmS to produce rice and bypass the traders to make it cheaper for the less fortunate. Then penalize regions that allow the smuggling of rice with ZERO REGIONAL BUDGET in Agriculture, Customs, etc and the like. This is where your being at DA can be useful. As to how to make the regions self-sufficient in rice you must provide public investments to create your supply chain infra with farmers forming corporate communities and owning it with professional managers making such infrastructures sustainable. How to do it? Again, Mr. President, like Ka Sonny says " read my lips"