By Manny Piñol
Isulan, Sultan Kudarat – Another Solar-Powered Irrigation System was turned over by the Department of Agriculture (DA) to rice farmers in Barangay D’Lotilla in this town today.
Costing P5.3-M, the SPIS unit was completed in three months and expected to irrigate up to 60 hectares.
Farmer leader Rustom Catalan said with the SPIS, they could now plant three times a year.
They also saved at least P100,000 per cropping on diesel fuel expenses.
While I was working in the field, rumor swirled that I have resigned following the “he is all air” joke of President Rody Duterte, referring to me, during an event in Palawan last week.
I have not resigned and unless the President tells me he no longer needs my services, I will continue working.
Having known the President for almost 25 years, I have learned to understand his character.
Sometimes, he would crack jokes which may sound offensive but to him, it’s merely a “kantiyaw.”
In a previous incident where he said “linti ni si Piñol,” I asked him if he was angry at me.
“Murag wala man ka naanad sa ako. Standard joke ko yon,” he told me.
The joke about “may hangin sa ulo si Piñol” has been cracked by the President in my presence and sometimes during my absence over a dozen times.
It starts with the story of how we had a massage in the airport by blind masseurs.
The blind masseur who was massaging my head, his story goes, asked whether I was an Ilonggo (a tribe known for tall-tales) because “maraming hangin ang ulo ko.”
On the statement of the President that we will never be rice sufficient and that my statement that the Philippines could be rice sufficient was “yabang lang,” I take that as a challenge rather than a ridicule.
I firmly believe that Filipino rice farmers with 4.9-million hectares, only 1.2-million of which are irrigated could produce enough rice for the country if given support with more irrigation facilities, good seeds and fertilizer.
Still, if the President believes I have failed him and lets go of me as Secretary of Agriculture I believe he will value our friendship and tell me of his plan rather than embarrass me in public.
In the time I have served as his Agriculture Secretary, I can humbly say that while I may not have done so much as expected by some sectors, I have maintained a frugal life and resisted temptations.
I am working and I will continue to serve the President and the Filipino farmers and fishermen.
(Photos of today’s activity downloaded from DA Region 12 RAFID)
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