The AGRI Party-list on Friday appealed to consumers to support local producers and buy locally-produced food and food products during the Christmas season.
“Karamihan sa atin ay naghahanda na para sa Noche Buena at Media Noche. Nawa’y tangkilikin natin ang produkto ng ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda, maging ang ating small-scale at local entrepreneurs,” AGRI Party-list first nominee and former judge Frank Lobrigo said.
Lobrigo stressed that the pandemic has had a tremendous impact on farmers and fisherfolk as he said he hopes they too could have a happy holiday season.
Lobrigo said there is usually an uptick in consumption in the weeks leading up to Christmas and New Year, with employees receiving their Christmas and other year-end bonuses.
“Our local goods are at par, perhaps even better than the imported ones, especially our vegetables, rice and grains, and meat,” he said. “Nakasisiguro tayo na dahil hindi matagal ang byahe ng mga ito papunta sa merkado ay walang preservatives ang mga paninda ng ating mga magsasaka,” he said.
Aside from goods for consumption, Lobrigo said there are a lot of local goods from partners that could be given as gifts for the holidays.
“Nariyan ang locally-produced coffee at coffee products tulad ng ating kapeng barako. Madami rin tayong cocoa at cocoa products na kilala internationally na dito gawa mismo sa ating bansa. Buying these goods would go a long way toward supporting our coffee and cacao farmers,” the former judge said.
“Madami rin tayong local fruits na maaaring ipan-regalo as fruit baskets o ‘di kaya gawing handa para sa bagong taon,” he added.
Aside from goods for consumption, Lobrigo said there are a lot of local goods from partners that could be given as gifts for the holidays.
Lobrigo stressed that the pandemic has had a tremendous impact on farmers and fisherfolk as he said he hopes they too could have a happy holiday season.
“Likas naman sa ating mga Pilipino ang bayanihan. When we buy local not only do we help our economy recover by boosting spending, we make sure our farmers will also have food at their table as we have for ours.”
