MANILA, April 4 -- Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Thursday highlighted a four-year plan to boost local food production and lower food inflation in the country.

During the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing, Laurel said the plan includes medium-term strategies that would benefit farmers and consumers in the long run.

"We already have a masterplan on how to do what needs to be done para mapababa ang presyo, at maincrease ang production at kumita ang farmers at fisherman natin (to lower the price [of food], increase production, and benefit our farmers and fishers)," he said.

"Hopefully ma-increase ang production natin, mapababa ang quantity ng ating ini-import. And hopefully mapababa rin iyong presyo ng pagkain in general...