AGRI PARTY-LIST

Month: June 2024

Sapat Dapat! Amid The Looming La Niña, Gov’t Must Boost Rice Buffer Stock, Pass ‘Cheaper Rice Act’ – Lee

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Sapat Dapat! Amid The Looming La Niña, Gov’t Must Boost Rice Buffer Stock, Pass ‘Cheaper Rice Act’ – Lee With La Niña expected to arrive in the country in the third quarter of the year, AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee said the government must shore up its rice buffer stock to last for 15 to 30 days during disasters and emergency situations.  According to Lee, “our inventory must be sufficient to cover 15 to 30 days of national consumption or equivalent to at least 350,000 metric tons (MT) in case of emergencies or disasters. This is the optimal level of rice buffer stock stated in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL).”  “Pero ayon sa National Food Authority (NFA) kamakailan, may rice inventory ang bansa na aabot lang sa loob ng apat na araw kung magkaroon ng sakuna o emergency. Nakakabahala ito dahil kulang ang reserbang ito,” he said.  According to the NFA, its palay procurement reached nearly 3.37 million 50-kilo bags as of June 13, equivalent to 168,262 metric tons (MT). While the solon recognized the efforts of NFA to boost the rice inventory by buying local palay for higher price, he maintained that this mechanism should be institutionalized.  Lee then called for the urgent passage of his proposed House Bill No. 9020 or the “Cheaper Rice Act” which will mandate the government to implement a “price subsidy” program to buy palay from local farmers at a higher farmgate price to ensure their profit and entice them to boost their production.  “Sa panukalang ito, isasabatas ang dagdag o patong na P5 to P10 sa prevailing farmgate price per kilo ng palay na bibilhin ng gobyerno sa mga lokal na magsasaka. Sa mas mataas na kita, magpupursige silang taasan ang produksyon, na magpapababa naman sa presyo ng bigas at iba pang bilihin,” explained Lee.  “Our farmers deserve better prices for their products, so it is only fair that we demand better for them,” he added.  The solon from Bicol further stressed that the best defense against inflation is supporting farmers whom he considers as “food security soldiers.”  “Kapag nag-invest tayo sa agrikultura, sa pagprotekta sa kabuhayan ng ating mga magsasaka, tataas ang kanilang ani at kita, hindi na tayo aasa sa imported, magiging sapat at abot-kaya ang pagkain sa bansa,” Lee stated.  “Ang matitipid ng ating mga kababayan sa bagsak-presyong bilihin ay dagdag pantustos naman sa iba pang pangangailangan tulad na lang kapag may nagkasakit sa pamilya.”  “Wala dapat namamatay sa gutom o kawalan ng sapat na pagkain. Winner Tayo Lahat sa pangmatagalang pakinabang at ginhawang hatid ng pagsuporta sa ating mga magsasaka,” 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

Real Freedom Is Freedom From High Food Prices, Defending What Is Ours – Lee

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Real Freedom Is Freedom From High Food Prices, Defending What Is Ours – Lee AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee on Wednesday said that real freedom lies on the ability to buy food at lower prices and maximize our country’s natural resources for the benefit of Filipinos.  Attending the 126th Independence Day Celebration in Cebu City, Lee stressed that “while we celebrate the triumph forged by our heroes who fought and liberated us from foreign invaders, we must free Filipinos from perennial problems and sufferings.” “Sana nga po dumating ang araw na maranasan ng bawat Pilipino ang tunay na kalayaan,” the Bicolao lawmaker said.  “Kalayaan mula sa labis na hirap ng buhay. Kalayaan mula sa sobrang taas na presyo ng pagkain at bilihin. Kalayaan mula sa takot o pangamba na may magkasakit sa pamilya dahil walang pambili ng gamot o pambayad sa ospital. Kalayaan mula sa mga kurakot kaya hindi nabibigay sa Pilipino ang dapat para sa Pilipino. Kalayaan mula sa kawalan ng hustisya, sa hindi pantay na trato o turing sa mayaman at sa mahirap.”  “Ito po ang tunay na kalayaan. Pwede kumain nang sapat. Pwede magkasakit na hindi mababaon sa utang o malulugmok sa kahirapan ang pamilya. Pwede asahan ang gobyerno na hindi pababayaan ang taumbayan,” he added.  Aside from supporting our “food security soldiers” to address inflation, Lee underscored the importance of protecting and maximizing our natural resources especially amid reports of new artificial islands being built by Vietnam at the Spratly Islands and China’s recurring aggressions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).   “Kung agrisibo ang ibang bansa, dapat mas agrisibo tayo sa pag-develop at pagtatanggol ng ating teritoryo, para sa kapakinabangan ng ating local food producers at consumers,” he said.  “We need to step up our game and defend what is ours. Let us prioritize the development of our natural resources to increase our fishery output, address our energy problem and provide more jobs to many Filipinos,” the solon from Bicol added.  Lee is the principal author of House Bill No. 9011 or the “Fishing Shelters and Ports Act” which aims to establish fishing shelters and ports in nine occupied maritime features in the WPS and Philippine Rise.  Under the said measure, the fishing shelters and ports shall be established in the islands of Lawak, Kota, Likas, Pag-asa, Parola, Panata, Patag, Rizal Reef and Ayungin Shoal.  “Huwag nating hayaan na magising na naman tayo isang araw na nakamkam na ng dayuhan ang ating mga teritoryo at likas na yaman. This poses a threat not only to Filipino livelihoods but also to Filipino lives. With less food production, consumers bear the brunt of high prices of goods,” the lawmaker pointed out. With an optimistic note, Lee challenged Filipinos that this year’s Independence Day is “a reminder to all of us of what we truly deserve.”  “We deserve better so we should demand better. As we rekindle the spirit of what our heroes fought for over a century ago, let us be firm to fight for a just, inclusive, and compassionate society,” he said.  “Ang tunay na malayang bansa ay isang bansa na may malasakit, kumakalinga at pinoprotekhan ang taumbayan; isang bansa kung saan Winner Tayo Lahat!” 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

Supporting Farmers Is Best Defense Against Inflation – Lee

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Supporting Farmers Is Best Defense Against Inflation – Lee Amid the approved rice tariff cut and high inflation, AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee said that supporting local farmers will effectively address inflation. Speaking at the Kapihan sa QC forum on Sunday, Lee said that while the tariff cut is a way to lower the price of rice to curb inflation and ease the burden of consumers, it must be complemented with stronger support to local farmers which he consider the long term solution to the perennial problem of high food prices. “Sa bawat polisiya ng gobyerno, dapat laging ikonsidera yung ating local food producers, ang ating mga magsasaka. Sila ang aaray dito dahil isang epekto ng pagbaba ng taripa ay pagdagsa ng imported products,” the Bicolano lawmaker said. “Hindi makakasabay o makaka-compete sa pagbaha ng imported products ang ating mga lokal na magsasaka; lalo silang malulugi o di kaya’y malulubog sa utang. Papatayin nito ang kabuhayan ng ating mga magsasaka,” he added. The solon underscored that importation is only a short-term solution, saying, “hindi tayo pwedeng nakaasa lang sa importation. Sa dami ng nangyayari sa ibang mga bansa, tulad ng gyera, sakuna, El Niño, climate change, posibleng tumigil ang ibang bansa sa pag-export. Hindi natin kontrolado ang export policy nila.” The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) board approved on June 3 the new Comprehensive Tariff Program for 2024-2028, which includes reduction of rice tariff for in- and out-quota rates from 35% to 15%. Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), meanwhile, released the May 2024 inflation rate which is at 3.9% from 3.8% the previous month, where food inflation remains as the largest contributor. “Pumalo sa 3.9% ang inflation rate noong Mayo at presyo pa rin ng pagkain ang numero unong humahatak dito pataas. Naniniwala tayo na mas epektibo nating mapapababa ito, hindi sa importasyon, kundi sa dagdag na suporta sa ating mga magsasaka!” Lee said. The lawmaker from Bicol has been pushing for the Cheaper Rice Act, which mandates the Department of Agriculture (DA) and other concerned government agencies to buy local palay with additional P5-P10 than the prevailing farmgate prices. This will ensure increase in income of local farmers while consumers will eventually enjoy lower rice prices in the market. The solon likewise advocates for additional post-harvest facilities and market linkages for farmers through his House Bill (HB) No. 3958 or the “Post-Harvest Facilities Support Act” and HB 3957 or the “Kadiwa Agri-Food Terminal Act.” Lee, who just came recently from a 2-day visit in multiple towns and cities in Bulacan including San Jose del Monte, Sta. Maria, Bocaue, Pandi, Meycauayan, Guiguinto, Malolos, Plaridel and Calumpit, shared that one of the main concerns of farmers are the lack of post-harvest facilities. “Para madagdagan ang kita ng ating mga magsasaka at masiguro ang mas mataas na produksyon, dapat sapat at tuloy-tuloy ang suporta ng gobyerno mula sa pagtatanim, anihan, hanggang sa paghahatid at pagbebenta ng produkto sa merkado,” the solon from Bicol said. “Kawalan ng hustisya kung ang mga magsasakang nagbibigay sa atin ng makakain ay sila pang walang maihain na pagkain sa kanilang pamilya. Our local farmers deserve better so we should demand better for them!” “Kapag may sapat na kita ang mga magsasaka, mas ma-e-engganyo silang palaguin ang kanilang kabuhayan. Sa pagtaas ng kanilang produksyon, dadami ang supply, at bababa ang presyo sa merkado. Makakatipid dito ang bawat pamilya kung saan mas may magagamit na sila sa iba pang pangangailangan, tulad sa pagpapagamot kapag nagkasakit. Sa dagdag na suporta sa mga magsasaka, mangingisda at agricultural workers, Winner Tayo Lahat!” Advocacy Support 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

Optimize PH Carabao Center To Boost Dairy Industry – Lee

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Optimize PH Carabao Center To Boost Dairy Industry – Lee AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee on Wednesday said that optimizing the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) by increasing its budget and upgrading its research and innovation, will help revive the dairy industry post-El Niño.  This, after the National Dairy Authority (NDA) sought P2.5 billion budget to support the procurement of at least 5,000 imported cattle and setting up of laboratory facilities in its six regional offices to boost the country’s local milk production.  Lee, who just came recently from a 2-day visit in multiple towns and cities in Bulacan including San Jose del Monte, Sta. Maria, Bocaue, Pandi, Meycauayan, Guiguinto, Malolos, Plaridel and Calumpit, said, “We support the goal of the NDA to increase the dairy production and develop our local dairy industry. Kaya isinusulong rin natin na madagdagan ang budget ng mga ahensiya ng gobyerno na may kinalaman sa pagpapalago nito.”  The Bicolano lawmaker said aside from procuring cattle, research and development on carabaos also need to be boosted.  “Research and innovation on both cattle and carabaos are vital to ensuring the dairy industry continues to improve practices and minimize impacts of extreme weather conditions while improving milk production,” he said.  “Sa ngayon halos P89 million lang ang nakalaan para sa Research and Development ng National Carabao Development Program ng PCC at P274 million naman para sa kanilang Herd Build-up of Genetically-Improved Dairy Buffalos. Dapat madagdagan ang suporta natin dito, ” he added.  “Carabaos are hardy, low-maintenance animals. They can thrive on local grasses and do not need expensive feeds, making them well-suited for small-scale farmers. Apart from their agricultural use, carabaos also provide milk,” he further said.  The Herd Build-up program is set to bolster local dairy stocks and local milk production through a series of strategic initiatives. Additional funds will facilitate the procurement of new dairy buffalos, enhance local production at PCC-operated nucleus dairy buffalo farms and agistment farms. It will also provide essential breeding services to Farmers Cooperative and Associations (FCA) partners and dairy buffalo health and nutritional services. More funding will also help enhance and develop dairy buffalo farms and other dairy buffalo facilities of the PCC  According to  Dairy Confederation of the Philippines, there are currently 2.6 million cows in the country but only 27,000 are used for dairy. On the other hand, there are 2.8 million carabaos but only 19,000 are dairy types. “Mahalaga na sa pagbibigay ng dagdag na budget, may kongkretong plano, maayos na implementasyon at mga pasilidad. Halimbawa, we cannot afford to import cattles used for dairy without proper acclimatization facility, dahil kung wala nito, marami talagang mamamatay pagka-import. Hindi pwedeng ura-urada dahil para lang tayong nagtatapon ng pondo,” the solon from Bicol pointed out. “Napakalayo pa ng ating bansa sa pagkamit ng milk sufficiency. Kaya dapat maging kayod-kalabaw din ang gobyerno sa pagsuporta sa mga ahensya para mapaunlad ang local dairy industry at hindi tayo laging dependent sa importation. We deserve better and it is our right to demand better services and demand more opportunities in our country.”  “Winner Tayo Lahat sa pagpapaunlad sa bawat sektor at industriya na lumilikha ng tiyak at karagdagang trabaho, sa pagsusulong ng dagdag na kita, sapat, abot-kaya at masustansyang pagkain sa bawat pamilya, at pagkakaroon ng kapanatagan ng loob na magkasakit man, hindi malulubog sa hirap at utang dahil sa patas at mapagmalasakit na serbisyong pangkalusugan,” 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