Senator Cynthia Villar, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, asked farmers to be firm in their heroic work of producing food for every Filipino as she revealed that the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte would soon be pouring multi-billion-peso funds for various agriculture programs.
Speaking before farmers and other agriculture stakeholders during the 4th Farmers’ Congress in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija, Villar said government will allocate P10 billion annually for farm mechanization, seeds, trainings and other forms of support once the President signs the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund into law next year.
“The government will allocate P10 billion annually for farm mechanization, seeds, trainings and other forms of support once the President signs the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund into law next year.”
Half of the fund will go to farm mechanization, the seasoned lawmaker said.
The veteran lawmaker cited the crucial role farmers play in society and in the lives of every Filipino.
“Farmers play a crucial role in society and in the lives of every Filipino.”
“Huwag ninyong mamaliitin ang kontribusyon niyo sa ating bansa (Do not underestimate your contribution to our country),” the lady senator said which was answered with great applause by the farmers.
The Farmers’ Congress is an annual undertaking by the Palayan City government under Mayor Adrianne Mae Cuevas as an opportunity to honor agricultural workers and provide an avenue for discussion among them, as well as with representatives of various government agencies.
Villar acknowledged that while farmers play a vital role, they remain among the poorest people in the country.
“Hindi dapat tumigil ang pamilyang Pilipino sa pagsasaka (The Filipino families should not stop from farming),” she said.
