By CARMELA FONBUENA
abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak
Department of Agriculture secretary Arthur Yap was profusely praised by President Arroyo in yesterday’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) for his leadership in addressing the rice crisis.
President Arroyo did mention several national politicians, but only to acknowledge their presence—House Speaker Prospero Nograles, Senate President Manuel Villar, Vice President Noli de Castro, and President Fidel Ramos.
Yap stood out as the only Cabinet member whom President Arroyo particularly praised in her speech.
“Ngayong may P32 na commercial rice, natugunan na natin ang problema sa pagkain sa kasalukuyan. Nagtagumpay tayo dahil sa pagtutulungan ng buong bayan sa pagsasaka, bantay presyo at paghihigpit sa price manipulation, sa masipag na pamumuno ni Artie Yap,” the President said in her SONA, and then went on about her administration’s projects involving the agricultural sector.
When abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak asked how he felt about the praise, Yap said, “If you know the president like I do, that is a signal that we have to work harder. She thanked us but considering that this is really the flavor of the year—agriculture and food—it’s a signal that we’ve got to work hard.”
“The president has tall orders for the department,” Yap added. He said that continuous infrastructure spending for agriculture—irrigation and farm to market roads among others—is being given priority by the Arroyo administration.”
This year's SONA is different from last year. Last year, the president praised at least 56 politicians in her SONA. This year, her speech was full of examples of successful ordinary people.