Devil in the detail

For the recent agriculture interviews of key presidential candidates, the general directions given must now be supplemented with the necessary detail. Without this, we cannot have a better future for agriculture.

The interviewees were Mayor Isko Moreno on Nov. 24, Vice President Leni Robredo on Nov. 29 and former Senator Bongbong Marcos on Dec. 6.

The interviewers were the heads of five organizations representing different agriculture sectors: farmers and fisherfolk (Federation of Free Farmers); agribusiness (Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc.); science and academe (Coalition for Agriculture Modernization in the Philippines); alliances (Alyansa Agrikultura) and nongovernment organizations (Bayanihan sa Agrikultura).

Recommendations

They had submitted a two page document with 12 priority recommendations to the presidentiables: “Transform Agriculture for Food Security, Job Creation and Balanced Growth.” This was done three weeks before the interviews so that the presidential aspirants could study and prepare their responses and insights on each of the recommendations.

The 12 recommendations, approved unanimously by the five groups, are very specific. They suggest actions that are currently not being done which, if implemented, would get us out of our agriculture crisis.

It was with great anticipation that the leaders looked forward to the aspirants’ positions. However, the leaders were warned that many candidates promise a lot, but deliver little when elected.

This is where the devil in the detail must come into play. How can detail help push a promise into actual performance?

Thankfully, the presidentiables were prepared and selective in their responses. They agreed with some, rejected others and suggested modifications for the rest. However, the limited time for the interview left much of the detail wanting. For this gap to be filled before the elections, we must take specific action.

Six steps

First, the presidentiables should be requested to give written responses for each recommendation. They could give their positions in three categories: yes, no or yes with qualifications, which should be specified. These can enlighten the leaders to improve their own initial recommendations. For the next five months prior to the elections, continuous communication should be done to keep track of the evolving positions and views of the presidential aspirants.

Second, the leaders must develop and provide more details behind each of their 12 recommendations. This should be a collaborative process, listing only specifics where there is consensus.

Third, each organization should pursue its own independent initiative with the presidentiables. The organization must specify which positions are different from the consensus. Each organization should strongly advocate what it believes in, and let each presidentiable decide the best course.

Fourth, we must keep the agriculture issue alive not only for the presidential aspirants but also for other national and local candidates. Similar initiatives must be taken in the provinces, so that agriculture’s importance also becomes a local election issue. It is important to see if any of the extra 2022 LGU (local government unit) income from the Mandanas-Garcia ruling will go to agriculture, and what for.

Fifth, the issue must continue to get public exposure for the next five months. Initial interest was demonstrated when a presidentiable agriculture interview got 147,000 facebook views within three hours. Such interactions with wide media exposure should be done with other candidates on the national and local levels.

Sixth, there should be a final review and reckoning. A few weeks before elections, the same five leaders should interview the presidentiables with wide media coverage. This will determine each candidate’s final position and plans that will guide voter choice.

Other considerations

Aside from what a candidate promises, other factors are critical for a wise voting decision. These are the presidential aspirants’ character, competence, and track record in helping people, including farmers and fisherfolk.

Detail, coupled with proven past performance, will be the key to getting a president who will bring a prosperity-filled future for our agriculture. The next presidentiable agriculture interview will be with labor leader Leody de Guzman on Thursday, Dec. 16: Zoom ID 825-0347-6028, Passcode agri2022 or https://www.facebook.com/agri2022ph/.

The author is Agriwatch chair, former Secretary of Presidential programs and projects and former undersecretary of DA and DTI. Contact is [email protected].