Quirino Governor Dax Cua urged his fellow local leaders to continue buying produce from local farmers, as he expressed his support for a bill in the House of Representatives that would compel both the national government and local government units to do the same.
“Let’s support our own farmers by buying local. Mas malaki ang maitutulong kung bumibili tayo mula sa ating mga magsasaka kaysa kung binibigyan sila ng ayuda,” Cua said.
Cua said these measures are necessary in ensuring that farmers get all the support they can get amid the rising cost of farming due to inflation and climate change.
While Cua backs House Bill (HB) 3382 which seeks to mandate that the national and local governments will procure food for their relief and school feeding programs from local farmers, he said that LGUs shouldn’t have to wait for a law to start doing this.
“Ginawa na natin ito lalo na noong pandemya, eh. We have already seen how this is a good thing for all involved, so I don’t see a reason why we should discontinue buying from our local farmers,” the president of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines said.
Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte and Benguet Rep. Eric Go Yap are the authors of the said bill, which also proposes that the produce of local farmers within an LGU’s jurisdiction shall take precedence over those from outside to lower transportation and hauling costs.
They also filed a complementary measure, HB 3383, that makes the establishment of rice drying systems mandatory so that farmers can ensure the viability of their produce.
Cua said these measures are necessary in ensuring that farmers get all the support they can get amid the rising cost of farming due to inflation and climate change.
The governor also called on the National Food Authority to establish a system for logistical support that would enable LGUs to readily procure from farmers.
According to the Department of Agriculture, around P2.6 billion were purchased via “direct procurement from farmers by 443 local government units” nationwide from the start of the community quarantine in March until September when the pandemic struck in 2020.
He also touted the potential of buying local to jumpstart the local economy.
According to the Department of Agriculture, around P2.6 billion were purchased via “direct procurement from farmers by 443 local government units” nationwide from the start of the community quarantine in March until September when the pandemic struck in 2020.
“Maliit na sample pa lang ito, pero nakikita natin how crucial such support is to our farmers. Imagine how much more we can help them if instead of half a year, we patronize their products for the longer term,” Cua said.
