“Let us not make the lives of the farmers difficult, let us make it easy for our stakeholders to do business in agriculture.” This was the firm instruction of Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol on July 18, 2016 during the Region XII leg of the “Tapatan:Gobyerno at Mamamayan”, held at East Asia Royale Hotel in General Santos City. Tapatan, a regular dialogue with local government officials, including governors, district and party list representatives, mayors, farmer leaders, and other agri stakeholders, serves as a forum where the Agriculture chief presents the new thrusts and directions of the Department of Agriculture. “We are going back to basics,” the Secretary exclaimed, stressing that the agency is going back to its primary mandate which is to produce food, in line with the food sufficiency goal of the President. “We need you to partner with us, so we can attain this goal together. Just tell us what you need and we will give it to you,’ he said. Tapatan, which kicked off seven days after Piñol took oath of office as DA’s new chief, also serves as an opportunity of the administration to reach out to the major clientele of the Department. Piñol, during his message, vowed to support the farming and fishing sector of SOCCSKSARGEN, and deliver swift results. “We will do away with big-ticket projects that take years to finish. Under my leadership,...
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