“Sa pagpasok ng ikatlong taon ng administrasyon, kailangan na nating makita ang tuloy-tuloy na implementasyon at resulta ng inisyatiba sa agrikultura.”
This was stressed by Rep. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee, who also acknowledged the highlight on agriculture, especially on boosting local production, discussed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.
Lee who has consistently emphasized that “supporting farmers is the best defense against inflation”, agreed with the Chief Executive that boosting local production is the antidote to the seemingly endless problem of rising prices of goods.
“Maganda na sa simula pa lang, sinabi na ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na kahit lumalago ang ekonomiya, balewala ito kung hindi nararamdaman o umaabot sa sikmura ng ating mga kababayan,” Lee said.
“Natutuwa tayo na yung panawagan natin na palakasin ang local production ang naging panimula ng ating Pangulo sa kanyang third SONA. Patunay ito na naiintindihan ng Pangulo ang problema sa agrikultura at pinakikinggan ang daing ngayon ng ating mga kababayan,” he added.
The Bicolano lawmaker also pointed out some portions that need improvement to protect the livelihood of farmers and fishermen whom he considers as “food security soldiers”.
Citing his proposed House Bill (HB) No. 3957 or the “Kadiwa Agri-Food Terminal Act,” Lee said that the President could have included this in his priority measures for the upcoming Third Regular Session of Congress.
“Nabanggit ng Pangulo yung layunin niya na gawing permanente na ang mga Kadiwa centers. Ito yung mismong isinusulong natin sa ating panukalang Kadiwa Law. Kapag naisabatas ito, mapopondohan at mapalalawak ang mga Kadiwa centers para sinuman ang maging Presidente, tuloy-tuloy ito. Mas maraming Kadiwa, mas maraming murang pagkain,” he said.
The solon from Bicol further said that the current state of rice prices is a crucial point that needs improvement. This, according to him, can be resolved by his proposed HB 9020 or “Cheaper Rice Act” which will ensure the income of local farmers and lower price of rice.
“Araw-araw, dapat nating tutukan ang state of the nation, lalo na ang estado ng mga nangangailangan nating kababayan, kabilang na ang mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Filipinos deserve better and we should demand better, at dapat Winner Tayo Lahat.”
Lee added: “Sa isinusulong natin na pag-amyenda sa Rice Tariffication Law, itinutulak din natin na maibalik na sa National Food Authority (NFA) ang mandato na pagbili ng palay sa lokal na magsasaka na hindi lang para sa buffer stock.”
He also called for the review of the implementation of Executive Order No. 62, which lowers the rice tariff from 35% to 15%, saying “binabaan natin ang taripa pero hindi pa rin nararamdaman ang pagmura ng bigas. Para sa akin, dapat i-review ito, tingnan at siguraduhin na maramdaman ng ating mga kababayan itong pagbaba ng presyo ng bigas.”
“Tulad ng nasabi ko dito, dapat ito ay short-term solution lang. Pwede itong i-review kada ilang buwan o taon kung epektibo, hindi yung pangmatagalan, dahil sa huli, ang mga lokal na magsasaka ang kawawa dito,” he remarked.
A staunch agriculture advocate, Lee also mentioned his commitment to cooperate with National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Administrator Eduardo “Eddie” Guillen to optimize irrigation system in the country.
Lee also stressed the need to put more attention on the fishing industry which has a huge potential to create more jobs and livelihood.
Moreover, the lawmaker who principally authored the amendment to Anti-Agri Smuggling Law to impose stricter penalty on agri-smugglers, hoarders, price manipulators, cartel and public officials or employees who take part in crime, lauded the conviction of the President on making agri-smugglers accountable for their actions.
“Kay Presidente na nanggaling na ‘we mean serious business’ pagdating sa agri-smuggling. Para sa atin, talagang dapat masampolan na ang mga kriminal na ito!” Lee said.
He also lauded PBBM’s report on distributing thousands of agri machineries to farmers and their cooperatives.
But for him, this should immediately go to the beneficiaries saying, “Dapat mabilis na maipagkaloob sa mga kooperatiba ang mga farm equipment nang hindi na pahirapan ang mga requirements.”
“We must liberalize, streamline or simplify requirements to facilitate the distribution of post-harvest facilities and provide financial services that will help farmers and fisherfolk to develop their livelihood and increase their production,” Lee said.
Despite the evident need for more concrete actions for farmers and fishermen, Lee recognized that the current administration is in the right direction when it comes to agriculture.
“Malayo na pero malayo pa. Kudos sa BBM administration sa pagpapasimula ng tamang direksyon para sa agrikultura. Sa pangatlong taon ng administrasyon, dapat sukatin na kung hanggang saan na ang narating natin at ang mga dapat pa nating abutin,” he said.
“Araw-araw, dapat nating tutukan ang state of the nation, lalo na ang estado ng mga nangangailangan nating kababayan, kabilang na ang mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Filipinos deserve better and we should demand better, at dapat Winner Tayo Lahat,” he said.
