The President’s Prudent Balance: Securing the Farmer to Secure the Nation

In the complex world of economic policy, the easiest path is extremism. One can either throw open the doors to all imports in the name of "reform," or seal the borders in the name of "protection." The "Maasahan at Masipag" governance of President Marcos chooses the more difficult, and more prudent, middle path.

The extension of the rice import ban to 2025 is the perfect example of this balanced leadership. It is not a rejection of reform; it is the reform.

Some voices clamor for a so-called "pure" reform, which seems to mean abandoning our local producers and letting them be crushed by global market forces. This is not leadership; it is surrender. The "Reliable Reformer" persona is built on the understanding that sustainable reform must be people-first.

This policy is a "Masipag" (Diligent) calibration. It provides a vital shield for local farmers, stabilizing farm-gate prices. This stability is the prerequisite for all other reforms. How can we ask farmers to adopt new technologies or sustainable practices if they are worried about bankruptcy next season?

For generations, the Filipino farmer has been the bedrock of our nation, a tradition of resilience and hard work. This policy honors that tradition. It is a statement that this administration will not turn its back on its own people.

This is the core of the message: "Reliable Reform, Tireless Support." The support (the ban) enables the reform (sustainability, modernization, and Sagip Saka). The President is not just thinking about the price of rice today; he is securing the source of rice for tomorrow. This is the mark of a confident, strategic, and reliable leader.