AGRI PARTY-LIST

Month: September 2024

Among Preferred Senatorables In Latest Octa Survey Lee Joins Aksyon Demokratiko Of Fellow Bicolano Raul Roco

Support / By

Among Preferred Senatorables In Latest Octa Survey Lee Joins Aksyon Demokratiko Of Fellow Bicolano Raul Roco Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee said he will push for a bigger budget for agriculture once deliberations begin for the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) at the House of Representatives. “Kahapon sa DBCC (Development Budget Coordination Committee) briefing, natalakay itong pagkaltas sa pondo ng agrikultura. Nakahanda po tayong amyendahan ang budget para dito para madagdagan at maiwasto dahil para sa atin, ito ang dapat na prayoridad at dagdagan ng suporta ng gobyerno,” Lee said. “With this year’s drought brought about by the El Niño and the La Niña in the coming months, we need adequate financial support to boost productivity and re-energize the sector to achieve food sufficiency and food security,” he added. The P6.352-trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP) was officially turned over to the House of Representatives by the Department of Budget and Management on July 29. Under the NEP, the proposed budget for the agriculture sector – which includes the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), and all their attached agencies and corporations – suffered a P10.4-billion reduction, down to P211.3 billion from P221.7 billion in this year’s General Appropriations Act (GAA). According to DBM, bulk of the budget will be used to fund agriculture modernization programs as well as cash aid to farmers and fisherfolk. Lee said the proposed P211 billion agriculture budget in the NEP was a far cry from the P513.81 billion target budget announced by the DA in April. “We are supportive of the original proposed budget for the DA, especially since around P225.83 billion out of the target P513-billion budget was supposed to be for agricultural modernization as well as to improve the anti-smuggling efforts of DA’s bureaus,” he said. The Bicolano lawmaker has been a vocal supporter for modernization of the agriculture sector. He has been persistent in urging the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) to efficiently use their budget to provide farm equipment and post-harvest facilities to increase agricultural workers’ production and address soaring food prices. The solon from Bicol likewise advocates for additional post-harvest facilities and market linkages for farmers and fisherfolk through his House Bill (HB) No. 3958 or the “Post-Harvest Facilities Support Act” and HB 3957 or the “Kadiwa Agri-Food Terminal Act.” Morever, Lee undercored the importance of the digitization of the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), saying: “Ang mga panukalang ito na itinutulak natin ang sisiguro na sapat at tuloy-tuloy ang ayuda ng gobyerno mula sa pagtatanim, anihan, hanggang sa paghahatid at pagbebenta ng produkto sa merkado.” “Pera ng gobyerno, pera ng taumbayan. Dapat meaningful spending. Walang underspending, walang pagwawaldas. Kapag nag-invest tayo sa agrikultura at sinuportahan ang mga magsasaka at mangingisda, tataas ang kanilang produksyon, hindi tayo masyadong aasa sa imported, bababa ang presyo ng pagkain at iba pang bilihin, at gagaan ang pasanin ng ating mga kababayan.” “Ang pinakamabisang solusyon sa inflation ay pagtulong sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda—ang ating ‘food security soldiers’. Kaya kailangan na laging top priority ang agrikultura. Sa pangunguna ng ating food security soldiers, murang pagkain, gawin na natin!” he added. 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

Amid Port Congestion Delaying Low Rice Prices Lee Urges BOC, PPA To Boost Ports Manpower To Expedite Unloading Of Rice Shipments

Advocacy / By

Amid Port Congestion Delaying Low Rice Prices Lee Urges BOC, PPA To Boost Ports Manpower To Expedite Unloading Of Rice Shipments Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee has called on the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to expedite the unloading of rice shipments at the country’s ports to increase the supply and lower the price of rice in the market. Lee’s call comes amid port congestion, which has been a significant hurdle in stabilizing rice prices, as noted by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. in a press briefing. “We need to work quickly and efficiently as every delay in unloading rice cargoes not only adds to costs but also worsens the situation for consumers, especially with inflation,” Lee who is set to visit Bacolod today to attend as keynote speaker the Visayas Public Transportation Modernization Program Forum, said. “Biruin n’yo, nasa isa hanggang dalawang linggo na raw nakatengga ‘yung mga kargamento ng bigas sa ating mga ports. Imbes na mailabas agad sa merkado para dumami ang supply at mapababa ang presyo ng bigas, eh lalo pa itong nagmamahal,” he added. Lee proposed increasing manpower at ports or implementing round-the-clock shifts to address the logistical bottlenecks and ensure faster processing of shipments to resolve backlogs quickly. He then called for the immediate passage of his proposed House Bill No. 10426 which pushes 24/7 frontline government services and extension of face-to-face transactions. This measure would include the operations of the BOC and other government agencies to have speedy and efficient administration of services. “We need all hands on deck. Increasing workforce or having 24/7 operations will significantly reduce backlogs and lower the prices of rice,” the solon from Bicol said. “A seamless supply chain system, including efficient port logistics, is crucial to ensuring food security and keeping prices affordable. Mawawalan ng silbi ang Executive Order No. 62 na nagpababa ng taripa sa imported na bigas kung di naman mapapakinabangan ng mga consumers ang mas murang bigas,” he added. EO 62, issued by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in July, lowered the tariffs on imported rice from 35% to 15%. “Walang puwang dapat sa gobyerno ang mababagal at usad-pagong na sistema. Lagi dapat itong agrisibo sa paghahanap ng solusyon kung paano mapagaan ang pasanin ng mga Pilipino, hindi yung lalo pang nagpapabigat sa problema ng taumbayan, lalo sa usapin ng pagkain,” Lee said. “Habang naglalatag tayo ng panandaliang solusyon, dapat kumikilos na tayo para sa long-term na solusyon. Sa suporta sa agrikultura, panalo ang masa. Dapat lang na dagdagan ang tulong sa ating food security soldiers, mula sa pagtatanim, sa anihan, hanggang sa paghahatid at pagbebenta ng produkto sa merkado na siya ring magpapababa ng presyo. Murang pagkain, gawin na natin!” 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

Lee Awaits Signing Of Economic Sabotage Law Amid Surge In Agricultural Smuggling

Advocacy / By

Lee Awaits Signing Of Economic Sabotage Law Amid Surge In Agricultural Smuggling “Hindi pwedeng hanggang kaso lang. Dapat ipakulong yang mga salot na agri-smugglers!” This is what Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee said as he raised the alarm over the surge of smuggled agricultural goods intercepted by Philippine authorities this year. As the principal author of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, Lee expressed optimism that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will soon sign it into law which will impose stricter penalties and hefty fines against large-scale smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, cartelizing, and other market abuses involving agricultural and fishery commodities considered as economic sabotage. “We are hopeful that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will sign this measure into law soon. Dapat seryosong puksain na ang mga krimeng ito na patuloy na kumikitil sa kabuhayan ng mga local food producers at nagmamanipula ng presyo sa merkado na pabigat lalo sa mga consumer,” the solon from Bicol said. “Wakasan na ang kademonyohang ito na walang ibang dulot kundi pasakit sa mga Pilipino. Sampolan na ang mga agri-smugglers, hoarders, price manipulators, at mga kasabwat sa gobyerno!” he added. The Bicolano lawmaker was referring to a series of smuggling cases which have been plaguing the country this year, with authorities from the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Bureau of Customs (BOC) confiscating millions of pesos worth of smuggled agricultural products in multiple operations. These include smuggled agricultural products from China and Taiwan in Subic Port in Zambales amounting to P21.08 million seized by BOC and DA last September 11 and the 3,200 cartons of smuggled oranges from Thailand worth P8.422 million confiscated last week. Apart from the recent cases, Lee pointed out the P5 million worth of suspected smuggled agricultural products in three warehouses in Manila seized in January; at least P100 million worth of smuggled frozen meat and agricultural products seized in Kawit, Cavite in June; and P50 million worth of onions and other goods from China discovered in Navotas in August. The smuggled vegetables found in Navotas later tested positive for pesticide residues, heavy metals, and microbiological contaminants. “Napakahalaga ng batas na ito para protektahan ang kabuhayan ng ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda, magkaroon ng seguridad sa pagkain, mapangalagaan ang kabuhayan ng libo-libong mga Pilipino, at mailayo sa peligro ang kalusugan ng mga consumer na pwedeng makabili ng mga di nasusuring produkto,” he said. A staunch agricultural advocate, Lee has been reiterating that the best defense against inflation is to support the agriculture sector, saying: “Kapag may sapat na kita ang mga magsasaka at mangingisda, dadami ang supply sa merkado, bababa ang presyo ng pagkain, na magpapagaan sa pasanin ng ating mga kababayan,” he added. Notwithstanding the slowdown of the country’s overall inflation in August 2024 at 3.3% from 4.4% the previous month, Lee underscored that efforts must be tripled to address the constant challenge of high food prices being the main driver of inflation. “It is time we put an end to the suffering of our farmers and fisherfolk. Their hard work feeds the nation, and we owe them the protection of their livelihood which will significantly propel our economy. Sa suporta sa agrikultura, panalo ang masa!” Lee remarked. “Pagpapanagot sa agri-smugglers, hoarders, price manipulators, kartel at mga kasabwat sa gobyerno, gawin na natin! Murang pagkain, gawin na natin! Laban nating lahat ito,” 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