AGRI PARTY-LIST

Month: March 2024

Lee To DA: Invest In Research On Climate-Resilient Crop Varieties

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Lee To DA: Invest In Research On Climate-Resilient Crop Varieties AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) to focus on the development of climate-resilient varieties of major crops to mitigate the impact of future occurrences of the El Niño phenomenon. This, as the DA announced that agricultural damage caused by the intensifying El Niño has already reached ₱1.75 billion, covering more than 32,000 hectares of farm lands and displacing almost 30,000 farmers. “Panahon na upang pagtuunan natin ng pansin ang pagdevelop ng climate-resilient na palay at mais para maibsan ang epekto ng El Niño sa hinaharap,” Lee said. “Mayroon nang mga naunang pag-aaral ang IRRI (International Rice Research Institute) sa climate-resilient rice na kayang magtolerate sa extreme climate conditions. We just need to adopt and build on this technology in order for our farmers to benefit from it,” he added. The IRRI has developed drought-tolerant rice varieties which have been released in several countries including Sahbhagi Dhan in India, the Sahod Ulan in the Philippines, and the Sookha Dhan varieties in Nepal. The IRRI is also currently studying flood-tolerant rice varieties which have been released and are now being planted in various areas including Swarna Sub1 in India, Samba Mahsuri in Bangladesh, and IR64-Sub1 in the Philippines. “Mayroon ding pag-aaral ang United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) tungkol naman sa drought-tolerant (DT) corn. I suggest we propose a knowledge exchange of sorts para mapakinabangan nila ang pag-aaral natin sa palay at makuha naman natin ang teknolohiya nila sa mais,” the Bicolano lawmaker said. DT corn varieties became available to US farmers between 2011 and 2013 after decades of research on drought tolerance by crop breeders and plant scientists. “We need to utilize and maximize all available agricultural technologies so as to make our farmers—our food security soldiers—more resilient to climate change,” the solon said. “Kapag hindi na apektado ang ating mga magsasaka sa pagbabago ng klima, tataas ang produksyon at kita nila, at bawas pangamba naman sa ibang mga pangangailangan tulad ng gastos sa pagkakasakit o pagpapa-ospital.” “Ang dulo nito, makakatulong ang climate resilient crop varieties sa pagkamit ng food security. At kapag natiyak natin ang food security, siguradong Winner Tayo Lahat ,” he added. The DA earlier announced that eight regions in the Philippines were most affected by the El Niño: Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Soccsksargen. Most affected was Mimaropa, which incurred P770 million damage to agriculture, followed by Western Visayas with ₱560 million; Cagayan Valley, ₱180 million; Central Luzon, ₱158 million; Ilocos, ₱54 million; Zamboanga peninsula, ₱13 million; Calabarzon, ₱7 million, and Soccsksargen, ₱2 million.  Legislation Share the News! Previous PostNext Post Latest Posts​ 09 Oct 2024 Cheaper Rice now! Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee Calls for Efficient Supply Chain to Stabilize Rice Costs​ 09 Oct 2024 Agri Party-List Seeks Reelection, Commits Continued Support for Agri, Vulnerable Sectors 08 Oct 2024 Round-the-Clock Port Operations: Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee Pushes for 24/7 Government Services to Lower Rice Prices Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities

Lee Seeks In-Depth, Swift Resolution Of Probe On NFA Anomaly

Legislation / By

Lee Seeks In-Depth, Swift Resolution Of Probe On NFA Anomaly Bilisan at ungkatin para ubusin ang mga tiwali! AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee on Wednesday called for a swift and impartial resolution of the ongoing investigation on the alleged anomalous sale of the government’s rice buffer stocks by the National Food Authority (NFA). The Bicolano lawmaker made the statement after the Ombudsman also suspended Piolito Santos, who was appointed acting NFA administrator last week, and Jonathan Yazon, acting department manager for operation and coordination of the NFA. “Welcome development itong inilabas ng Ombudsman na suspension order sa dalawa pang opisyal ng NFA. Dapat maging mabilis at patas itong imbestigasyon at malaman ang katotohanan sa anomalyang ito sa ahensya,” Lee said. “Gusto natin na agarang mapanagot ang dapat managot, at siguruhing makabalik agad sa trabaho ang mga kawaning nadamay lang at walang kasalanan, lalo pa’t siguradong napakalaki na ng psychological impact ng kontrobersiyang ito sa kanilang mga pamilya,” he added. Lee earlier urged President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. to purge NFA of corrupt officials in order to restore the public’s trust in the agency. He further reiterated that the agency’s operations must not be hindered, especially in easing the burden of local farmers, who continue to suffer from the detrimental effects of El Niño. “Sa harap ng imbestigasyong ito, kailangang siguruhin na hindi mapaparalisa ang operasyon ng NFA dahil kapag nangyari ito, kawawa lalo ang ating mga lokal na magsasaka,” the solon pointed out. According to Lee, “Dapat matanggal sa NFA ang mga tiwali o may bahid ng korapsyon, lalo na sa hanay ng mga opisyal nito. Tungkulin ng NFA na mapagaan ang pasanin ng mga lokal na magsasaka, makatulong sa mga consumers na makabili ng mas murang bigas at maghatid ng agarang ayuda sa mga apektado ng sakuna, hindi yung pinalalaki pa nila ang kita ng mga mapagsamantalang traders.” Lee filed House Resolution No. 1625 which aims to identify any gaps or loopholes in the existing policies of the NFA and determine what legislation is necessary to ensure the agency’s optimal utilization of goods and proper disposal methods. “Winner Tayo Lahat kung mauubos ang mga tiwali saanmang ahensya ng gobyerno, kung nagtatrabaho ito para magkaroon ng tiyak na kabuhayan, dagdag na kita, sapat at masustansyang pagkain, at maibsan ang pangamba ng bawat pamilya na wala silang panggastos kapag sila ay nagkasakit,” Lee stressed. Legislation Share the News! Previous PostNext Post Latest Posts​ 09 Oct 2024 Cheaper Rice now! Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee Calls for Efficient Supply Chain to Stabilize Rice Costs​ 09 Oct 2024 Agri Party-List Seeks Reelection, Commits Continued Support for Agri, Vulnerable Sectors 08 Oct 2024 Round-the-Clock Port Operations: Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee Pushes for 24/7 Government Services to Lower Rice Prices Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities

Lee Lauds High RCEF Utilization, Asks PhilMech To Provide More Post-Harvest Equipment

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Lee Lauds High RCEF Utilization, Asks PhilMech To Provide More Post-Harvest Equipment AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee lauded the high utilization rate of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund’s (RCEF) Mechanization Program. “Nakakatuwa na sa wakas ay nama-maximize na ang paggamit sa pondong para naman talaga sa ating mga magsasaka,” Lee said. The Bicolano lawmaker was reacting to the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization’s (PhilMech) report of a 91.6 percent delivery rate for the machines procured under the RCEF. “Ang pera ng taumbayan, dapat gamitin para sa kapakinabangan ng taumbayan. Kaya nagpapasalamat tayo sa pakikipagtulungan ng PhilMech, sa pamumuno ni Dir. Dionisio Alvindia, para pagaanin ang pasanin ng ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda na itinuturing nating food security soldiers,” Lee said. “Sa pag-iikot natin, itong farm equipment and mechanization ang talagang pinakahinihintay nila para mapataas ang kanilang produksyon at kita, na magagamit nila pantustos sa iba pa nilang mga bayarin, lalo na sa panahon ng emergency o pagkakasakit,” he added.   Data from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) revealed that the RCEF’s utilization in 2019 was a mere 36.54 percent. It improved to 86.45 percent in 2020, but slipped to 80 percent in 2021 and further declined to 76.16 percent in 2022. The PhilMech attributed the RCEF’s low utilization levels to delays in the initial disbursements. The agency said it has already obligated ₱24.9 billion for the procurement of agricultural equipment and has distributed 28,817 pieces of farm equipment including 14,713 land preparation machines; 4,284 crop establishment technologies; 8,210 harvesting and threshing equipment; 768 drying technologies, and 842 milling equipment. “Matagal na nating sinasabi na ang susi sa food security ng bansa at para maging Winner Tayo Lahat ay ang pagkakaroon ng mga karagdagang post-harvest facilities tulad ng cold storages, dryers, at transport facilities,” Lee stressed. “Bukod sa dagdagan, panawagan din natin sa PhilMech na pabilisin pa ang pamimigay ng post-harvest equipment. Dapat simplehan at iklian lang ang mga requirements na hinihingi ng gobyerno mula sa mga magsasaka at kooperatiba.” “Naghain din tayo ng House Resolution No. 1636 para tukuyin at suriin ang mga naging hamon at problema sa RCEF, at nang mas mapabuti pa ang implementasyon nito sa isusulong natin na pagpapalawig ng programa,” the solon added. The RCEF is a six-year allocation of ₱10 billion anually starting 2019, granted under Republic Act No. 11203 or the “Rice Tariffication Law.” It is meant to improve rice farmers’ competitiveness amid the liberalized rice trade policy. PhilMech is the implementing agency for the RCEF’s farm mechanization component. The program gets ₱5 billion of the annual RCEF.  Advocacy Share the News! Previous PostNext Post Latest Posts​ 09 Oct 2024 Cheaper Rice now! Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee Calls for Efficient Supply Chain to Stabilize Rice Costs​ 09 Oct 2024 Agri Party-List Seeks Reelection, Commits Continued Support for Agri, Vulnerable Sectors 08 Oct 2024 Round-the-Clock Port Operations: Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee Pushes for 24/7 Government Services to Lower Rice Prices Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities

Cleanse NFA Of Corrupt Officials, Lee Urges PBBM

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Cleanse NFA Of Corrupt Officials, Lee Urges PBBM AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee on Wednesday urged President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. to purge corrupt officials and employees of the National Food Authority (NFA) in order to restore public trust in the agency. Lee issued the call after NFA Administrator Roderico Bioco and 138 other NFA officials and employees were suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman for their alleged involvement in the anomalous sale of the government’s rice buffer stocks. “Malaking kasalanan ang paglustay sa supply ng bigas, lalo pa napakamahal ng presyo ng pagkain at mga pangunahing bilihin ngayon,” Lee said. “In order to restore the trust of the public in the NFA, there needs to be a revamp and the first step to that is to remove all officials involved in anomalies,” he added. The Ombudsman found  “sufficient grounds” to suspend Bioco and the others saying there was “strong evidence showing their guilt.” Amid the alleged anomalous sale of rice reserves, the Bicolano lawmaker filed House Resolution No. 1625 to probe the current policies of the NFA and its implementation regarding the optimal utilization of their goods and proper disposal methods. According to Lee, “There is a need to identify any gaps or loopholes in the existing policies of NFA. Kailangang linawin ang mga polisiya,  tuldukan ang mga kalakaran na ugat ng katiwalian, at panagutin ang mga corrupt na dumadagdag lang sa pasanin ng taumbayan.” “Sa panahon na hirap ang ating mga magsasaka sa ani dahil sa epekto ng El Niño, kailangan natin ng mamumuno sa NFA na walang bahid ng korapsyon. Kung maayos lang sana ang pamahahala ng buffer stock ng bigas, mababawasan ang pag-angkat natin nito,” the solon said. For the past several years, the Philippines has been resorting to imports to augment the rice supply in the local market. During a recent bilateral meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, President Marcos said the Philippines wants to engage Cambodia in trade in agriculture, specifically rice. The country is also considering Cambodia as a rice supplier amid the El Niño dry spell. “Upang maayos ang supply ng mga pangunahing pagkain, kailangan natin ng maaasahan na magsusulong ng interes ng publiko at hindi pansariling interes. Kailangan natin ng mga lider na tapat na maglilingkod at magtatrabaho para maging Winner Tayo Lahat,” Lee stressed. “Ang dapat na tutok natin ay kung paano mababawasan ang pangamba ng ating mga kababayan pagdating sa kanilang kabuhayan, kita, pagkain, at lalong-lalo na sa kalusugan, hindi yung ang mga nasa gobyerno pa ang dahilan ng pagbigat ng kalbaryo ng mga Pilipino,” he added. Advocacy Share the News! Previous PostNext Post Latest Posts​ 09 Oct 2024 Cheaper Rice now! Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee Calls for Efficient Supply Chain to Stabilize Rice Costs​ 09 Oct 2024 Agri Party-List Seeks Reelection, Commits Continued Support for Agri, Vulnerable Sectors 08 Oct 2024 Round-the-Clock Port Operations: Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee Pushes for 24/7 Government Services to Lower Rice Prices Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities