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Dagdagan, hindi pabayaan!AGRI SEEKS PROBE ON THE CLOSURE OF SMALL-SCALE RICE, CORN MILLS IN 1K BARANGAYS

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Dagdagan, hindi pabayaan! AGRI SEEKS PROBE ON THE CLOSURE OF SMALL-SCALE RICE, CORN MILLS IN 1K BARANGAYS AGRI Party-list filed a measure to probe the recent reports that small-scale rice and corn millers in over 1,000 barangays have closed in a span of a decade after they were dominated by big players and influx of cheaper imported grain supplies. Lee filed House Resolution No. 2150 urging Congress to investigate these alarming closures, including assessment of their impact to livelihood and food security. “Nakakabahala ang pagsasara ng mga rice and corn millers sa napakaraming barangay sa bansa na hindi nakasabay sa pagdagsa ng mas murang imported na produkto sa merkado. Marami na naman nating magsasaka ang apektado ang kabuhayan at kita sa mga pagsasarang ito,” AGRI Party-list Representative and Senatorial aspirant Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee said. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), there were 15,436 barangays with rice and corn mills in 2023, which is lower by 6.3 percent from the 16,476 recorded in 2013. “Kailangang suriin agad ang usaping ito dahil kung hindi ito matutugunan, posibleng dumami pa ang magsasarang rice and corn millers sa mga susunod na taon, lalo na kung mananatiling mababa ang taripa at dagsa pa rin ang papasok na imported na produkto sa merkado,” AGRI Party-list stated. “Kung magpapatuloy ito, bababa pa ang kita ng ating mga lokal na magsasaka, mawawalan sila ng gana, at bababa ang produksyon na siya namang magpapalayo sa katuparan ng food security sa bansa,” it added. According to the said resolution, there is a need to scrutinize the effectiveness of current government programs and interventions to support the development of local rice and corn industries and determine short-term and long-term interventions to put an end to the closure of these mills. “With small-scale rice and corn mills closing despite recurring calls to elevate the state of the country’s agriculture sector, the government needs to recalibrate its policies so progress can be felt by our local food producers. Di pwedeng habang bukambibig na dapat maging mura ang pagkain at prayoridad ang agrikultura ay napapabayaan naman ang ating mga magsasaka, mangingisda at local food producers,” AGRI stressed. AGRI Party-list has long been fighting for more support for post-harvest facilities for farmers through its persistent calls to increase the budget for these needed facilities and agricultural equipment during budget deliberations. Further, AGRI renewed its call for the immediate passage of House Bill No. 3958 or the “Post-Harvest Facilities Support Act”, which underscores the need to provide warehouses, rice mills, and crucial equipment such as dryers, threshers and cold storages, to increase production. “Ang pinakamabisang solusyon sa inflation ay pagtulong sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda at local food producers. Kung patuloy silang madedehado sa mga imported na produkto at kawalan ng sapat na suporta mula sa gobyerno, mananatiling suntok sa buwan at pangarap lang ang murang pagkain,” AGRI Party-list said. “Simulan natin ang 2025 sa seryosong pagtutok at pagbibigay prayoridad sa agrikultura at ituloy-tuloy ang nararapat na tulong sa sektor. Malinaw na sa suporta sa mga lokal na magsasaka, mapapataas ang produksyon at mapapababa ang presyo ng pagkain, kung saan panalo ang sambayanang Pilipino,” it added. ### Previous Activities Share the News! Previous Post Latest Posts​ 06 Jan 2025 Dagdagan, hindi pabayaan!AGRI SEEKS PROBE ON THE CLOSURE OF SMALL-SCALE RICE, CORN MILLS IN 1K BARANGAYS 13 Dec 2024 AGRI Party-list Advocates for Full Protection of Agriculture Budget in 2025 10 Dec 2024 AGRI Party-list Urges Unity in Protecting Agriculture Budget for Filipino Farmers Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities 2024

AGRI Party-list Advocates for Full Protection of Agriculture Budget in 2025

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AGRI Party-list Advocates for Full Protection of Agriculture Budget in 2025 The AGRI Party-list is rallying lawmakers in the Senate and House of Representatives to safeguard the agriculture sector’s budget as the Bicameral Conference Committee prepares to finalize the 2025 General Appropriations Bill. With the nation’s food security and rural livelihoods on the line, AGRI Party-list Representative and Senatorial Aspirant Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee emphasized the critical importance of maintaining sufficient funding for agriculture.“Cutting the budget for agriculture at this critical time would severely undermine our ability to achieve food security and support millions of farmers, fisherfolk, and local food producers. These are the ‘food security soldiers’ who sustain our nation’s food supply, and they deserve more, not less, support from the government,” Lee said. He stressed that investing in agriculture is essential not only for economic recovery but also for long-term national stability. The Bicameral Conference Committee, tasked with reconciling Senate and House versions of the ₱6.352-trillion National Budget, will convene next week. AGRI Party-list expressed concerns over the possible reduction in allocations for agriculture, highlighting the severe consequences of underfunding in the face of rising global food prices and intensifying climate change.“Reducing the agriculture budget is a step backward,” AGRI said in a statement. “This is not just about farmers; this is about safeguarding the country’s food supply from external shocks and ensuring the resilience of our local food systems. Cutting corners in agriculture funding could leave millions vulnerable to food insecurity.”#SupportOurFarmers #FoodSecurityPH #WiseLeadership Advocacy Share the News! Previous Post Latest Posts​ 08 Dec 2024 AGRI PL URGES SENATE, HREP TO PROTECT AGRI BUDGET FOR 2025 28 Nov 2024 Expanded Crop Insurance Key to Food Security, Says AGRI Party-list 26 Nov 2024 AGRI Party-list Urges Senate to Prioritize Crop Insurance Expansion Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities 2024

AGRI Party-list Urges Unity in Protecting Agriculture Budget for Filipino Farmers

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AGRI Party-list Urges Unity in Protecting Agriculture Budget for Filipino Farmers As the Bicameral Conference Committee deliberates on the 2025 General Appropriations Bill, the AGRI Party-list has urged Congress to stand united in preserving the agriculture sector’s budget. AGRI Party-list Representative and Senatorial Aspirant Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee underscored the importance of prioritizing agriculture funding to ensure food security and improve the livelihoods of millions of farmers, fisherfolk, and food producers across the country. “Without sufficient investment in agriculture, we jeopardize not just the livelihood of millions but the nation’s food supply. If we are serious about having affordable food on every Filipino family’s table, agriculture must be a priority,” Lee said, stressing the importance of supporting rural communities that form the backbone of the country’s food production. AGRI Party-list warned that reduced allocations could undermine efforts to modernize the agriculture sector, leaving it vulnerable to rising food costs and external shocks. The group also criticized the continued underfunding of agriculture, noting that it remains a small fraction of the national budget despite its critical role in national development. “Providing adequate funding for agriculture will not only ensure higher incomes for food producers but also incentivize them to boost production. More supply in the market leads to lower prices, benefitting the entire nation,” AGRI explained. The group called on lawmakers to recognize the broader implications of their budget decisions, emphasizing that investing in agriculture is a win for all Filipinos. “Sa suporta sa agrikultura, panalo ang masa!” AGRI concluded. #FarmersFirst #FoodSecurityNow #WiseAdvocacy Previous Activities Share the News! Previous Post Latest Posts​ 08 Dec 2024 AGRI PL URGES SENATE, HREP TO PROTECT AGRI BUDGET FOR 2025 28 Nov 2024 Expanded Crop Insurance Key to Food Security, Says AGRI Party-list 26 Nov 2024 AGRI Party-list Urges Senate to Prioritize Crop Insurance Expansion Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities 2024

AGRI Party-list Warns of Long-Term Risks from Cuts to Agriculture Budget

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AGRI Party-list Advocates for Full Protection of Agriculture Budget in 2025 The AGRI Party-list has issued a strong appeal to lawmakers in both chambers of Congress to ensure the agriculture sector’s budget remains protected as deliberations over the 2025 General Appropriations Bill move forward. According to AGRI Party-list Representative and Senatorial Aspirant Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee, insufficient funding for agriculture could lead to long-term challenges for food security and the livelihoods of millions of Filipinos.“Investing in agriculture isn’t just about immediate support; it’s about future-proofing our food systems against crises like rising global food prices and climate change. Our farmers, fisherfolk, and food producers play a vital role in our nation’s stability, and reducing their support at this time is unacceptable,” Lee said. AGRI highlighted that the Department of Agriculture’s proposed ₱500 billion budget was slashed to less than half, leaving critical issues such as low productivity, outdated infrastructure, and a lack of post-harvest facilities unaddressed. “Our current allocation falls far short of what’s needed to meet the demands of our local food producers,” the group stated, emphasizing the disparity between agriculture’s potential and its share in the national budget. The group called on the Bicameral Conference Committee to prioritize food security, pointing out that increased agricultural funding would benefit all Filipinos by stabilizing food prices and boosting supply. “This is not just about the farmers; it’s about every Filipino family that depends on affordable and accessible food,” AGRI stressed.#AgricultureBudget2025 #FoodSecurity #WiseMoves Advocacy Share the News! Previous Post Latest Posts​ 08 Dec 2024 AGRI PL URGES SENATE, HREP TO PROTECT AGRI BUDGET FOR 2025 28 Nov 2024 Expanded Crop Insurance Key to Food Security, Says AGRI Party-list 26 Nov 2024 AGRI Party-list Urges Senate to Prioritize Crop Insurance Expansion Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities 2024

AGRI PL URGES SENATE, HREP TO PROTECT AGRI BUDGET FOR 2025

2024, Support / By

AGRI PL URGES SENATE, HREP TO PROTECT AGRI BUDGET FOR 2025 AGRI Party-list has called on lawmakers from both the Senate and the House of Representatives to ensure that the agriculture sector’s budget remains intact as the Bicameral Conference Committee deliberates on the 2025 General Appropriations Bill. According to AGRI Party-list Representative and Senatorial Aspirant Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee, sufficient funding for agriculture is essential to achieving food security and supporting the livelihood of millions of farmers, fisherfolk and local food producers. “Cutting the budget for agriculture at this critical time would jeopardize our efforts to achieve food security and improve the well-being of our rural communities. Deserve ng ating local food producers, na siyang ating ‘food security soldiers’, ng dagdag na suporta lalo na’t sila ang pinagmumulan ng pagkain ng ating bansa,” the Bicolano lawmaker said. The Bicameral Conference Committee is set to reconcile the differences between the Senate and House versions of the ₱6.352 National Budget next week. AGRI Party-list stressed that underfunding the agriculture sector could have long-term consequences, particularly in the face of rising global food prices and climate change. “Investing in agriculture is not just about supporting our farmers, fisherfolk and local food producers, it’s about safeguarding our nation’s food supply against external shocks. A reduced budget would be a step backward in addressing these challenges,” AGRI said in a statement. It further argued that proposed allocations are insufficient to meet the needs of local food producers and address pressing issues such as low productivity, aging infrastructure, and the lack of post-harvest facilities. “The agriculture budget remains a small fraction of the total National Budget and is less than half of the ₱500 billion the DA was originally requesting for 2025,” the Party-list stressed.  “Kung seryoso tayo na magkaroon ng murang pagkain sa hapag ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino, dapat maging prayoridad ang dagdag na suporta sa mga magsasaka, mangingisda, at buong sektor ng agrikultura. Sa pamamagitan nito, hindi lang mapapataas ang kanilang kita, mapapaunlad din ang produksyon, dadami ang supply, at bababa ang presyo ng pagkain at iba pang bilihin sa merkado,” it added. AGRI, which has been at the forefront of fighting for a better agriculture sector in the country, urged both Congress  chambers to work together to prioritize the needs of local food producers in the final version of the budget. “This is not just about passing the budget law. It’s about making a commitment to the millions of Filipinos who rely on agriculture for their livelihood. Sa suporta sa agrikultura, panalo ang masa!” AGRI stressed.  Previous Activities Share the News! Previous Post Latest Posts​ 09 Dec 2024 AGRI PL URGES SENATE, HREP TO PROTECT AGRI BUDGET FOR 2025 28 Nov 2024 Expanded Crop Insurance Key to Food Security, Says AGRI Party-list 26 Nov 2024 AGRI Party-list Urges Senate to Prioritize Crop Insurance Expansion Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities 2024

Expanded Crop Insurance Key to Food Security, Says AGRI Party-list

2024, Support / By

Expanded Crop Insurance Key to Food Security, Says AGRI Party-list AGRI Party-list, led by Cong. Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee, is championing the expansion of crop insurance to protect farmers and achieve food security in the wake of recent typhoons. House Bill No. 7387, which AGRI authored, proposes significant reforms to the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to include not just palay but also other crops, livestock, aquaculture, and farm infrastructure. “Expanding crop insurance ensures that farmers are compensated for their losses, allowing them to recover and continue their essential role in feeding the nation,” Lee said. AGRI also stressed the need for PCIC to intensify outreach programs and bring services directly to disaster-stricken communities through mobile offices. The party-list highlighted how protecting farmers’ livelihoods can lower food costs for all Filipinos. “When farmers are supported, they produce more. Increased supply leads to lower food prices, benefiting every household in the country,” AGRI said in a statement. As the bill awaits Senate action, AGRI called on legislators to prioritize its passage, emphasizing the measure’s role in alleviating farmers’ financial woes and securing the nation’s food supply. #FoodSecurityPH #SupportOurFarmers #WiseLeadership Previous Activities Share the News! Previous Post Latest Posts​ 28 Nov 2024 Expanded Crop Insurance Key to Food Security, Says AGRI Party-list 26 Nov 2024 AGRI Party-list Urges Senate to Prioritize Crop Insurance Expansion 25 Nov 2024 AGRI Party-list Pushes for Expanded Crop Insurance Amid Calamities Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities 2024

AGRI Party-list Urges Senate to Prioritize Crop Insurance Expansion

2024, Advocacy / By

AGRI Party-list Urges Senate to Prioritize Crop Insurance Expansion The AGRI Party-list is urging the Senate to fast-track the passage of House Bill No. 7387 or the “Essential Crop Insurance Act,” a measure aimed at expanding crop insurance to better protect farmers from financial losses caused by natural calamities. The bill, which passed the House on its third reading in March 2023, has yet to be acted upon in the Senate. Under the proposed measure, the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) will offer coverage for a broader range of agricultural commodities, including livestock, aquaculture, and agroforestry assets. “Farmers, as our ‘food security soldiers,’ deserve government support to ease their burdens,” AGRI Party-list emphasized. AGRI also called for more proactive measures, such as mobile offices in typhoon-hit areas, to make crop insurance enrollment accessible, saying “Government services should be brought to farmers instead of waiting for them to seek help.” The party-list underscored the measure’s importance in achieving food security by stabilizing farmers’ incomes and incentivizing higher production, ultimately reducing food prices and benefiting all Filipinos. #FarmersFirst #CropInsuranceNow #WiseAdvocacy Previous Activities Share the News! Previous Post Latest Posts​ 26 Nov 2024 AGRI Party-list Urges Senate to Prioritize Crop Insurance Expansion 18 Nov 2024 AGRI PL CALLS TO FAST-TRACK EXPANSION OF CROP INSURANCE COVERAGE 06 Nov 2024 Cong. Wilbert Lee: Supporting Farmers is Best Solution to Curb Inflation Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities 2024

AGRI Party-list Pushes for Expanded Crop Insurance Amid Calamities

2024, Support / By

AGRI Party-list Pushes for Expanded Crop Insurance Amid Calamities With consecutive typhoons battering the Philippines, AGRI Party-list is calling for the urgent passage of House Bill No. 7387 or the “Essential Crop Insurance Act” to protect farmers from devastating losses during calamities. The bill, approved by the House of Representatives in March 2023, is now awaiting Senate approval. AGRI Representative and Senatorial Aspirant Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee emphasized the critical need for expanded crop insurance, saying, “Farmers are left with nothing but debt and despair after every calamity. This measure will ensure they have the protection and support they deserve.” The proposed legislation seeks to broaden the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation’s (PCIC) services to include all agricultural commodities, livestock, aquaculture, and even infrastructure. AGRI Party-list also called on the PCIC to deploy mobile offices to disaster-affected areas, making insurance enrollment more accessible to farmers. AGRI reiterated that safeguarding farmers’ livelihoods is key to achieving food security, stating, “When farmers’ incomes are protected, they are motivated to increase production, which boosts food supply and lowers prices—benefiting the entire nation.” #ProtectOurFarmers #FoodSecurity #WiseLeadership Previous Activities Share the News! Previous PostNext Post Latest Posts​ 28 Nov 2024 Expanded Crop Insurance Key to Food Security, Says AGRI Party-list 26 Nov 2024 AGRI Party-list Urges Senate to Prioritize Crop Insurance Expansion 25 Nov 2024 AGRI Party-list Pushes for Expanded Crop Insurance Amid Calamities Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities 2024

AGRI PL CALLS TO FAST-TRACK EXPANSION OF CROP INSURANCE COVERAGE

2024, Support / By

AGRI PL CALLS TO FAST-TRACK EXPANSION OF CROP INSURANCE COVERAGE With succeeding typhoons hitting the country, AGRI Party-list has urged the immediate enactment of a measure. This measure would expand crop insurance coverage to protect farmers’ livelihoods. Every time a calamity hits, they lose their hard-earned crops. AGRI is the principal author of House Bill (HB) No. 7387. The bill seeks to expand the services of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) and encourage private sector participation in agricultural insurance. HB 7387 was approved by the House of Representatives on third and final reading in March 2023. It is now pending in the Senate. “Nananawagan tayo sa mga kapwa natin mambabatas sa Senado na agarang maisabatas ang panukalang ito,” said AGRI Party-list Representative and Senatorial Aspirant Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee. “Kulang na kulang sa proteksyon sa kabuhayan ang ating mga magsasaka. Alam naman po natin na tuwing may kalamidad, walang natitira sa kanila maliban sa utang at pangamba na lalong malubog sa kahirapan.” Under the measure, the PCIC would provide insurance coverage for all agricultural commodities. This expands coverage, which is currently limited to palay crops. Additionally, the proposed measure would also include other non-crop agricultural assets. These include livestock, aquaculture, fishery, agroforestry, forest plantations, machinery, equipment, transport facilities, and related infrastructures. “Bilang mga itinuturing natin na ‘food security soldiers,’ deserve ng ating mga magsasaka ang suporta ng gobyerno upang siguruhin ang kanilang kita,” the AGRI Party-list said. “Nararapat lamang na pagaanin ang pasanin ng pinagmumulan ng mismong mga kinakain natin!” AGRI also called on the PCIC to intensify its information campaign. The aim is to encourage more farmers to enroll in crop insurance. Moreover, AGRI urged the PCIC to be more proactive. It suggested deploying mobile offices to areas most affected by recent typhoons. “Imbes na maghintay sa mga opisina, kailangan ang gobyerno mismo ang gumawa ng paraan para ilapit ang mga serbisyo at benepisyo para sa ating mga magsasaka,” the party-list stressed. “Hindi na dapat pahirapan ang mga nasalanta nating kababayan o kaya naman ay parang sila pa ang nakikiusap o nagmamakaawa na sila ay tulungan.” AGRI Party-list also emphasized the importance of expanding insurance coverage beyond financial relief. In addition, this would contribute to achieving food security. “Ang pinakamabisang paraan para makamit ang murang pagkain at seguridad sa pagkain ay dagdag na suporta sa agrikultura,” AGRI stated. “Kapag naprotektahan ang kabuhayan ng ating mga magsasaka at mga local food producers at natiyak ang kanilang kita, magsisilbi itong insentibo para pataasin ang kanilang produksyon,” AGRI added. As a result, this would increase supply in the market. Thus, food prices and other commodities would decrease. This would benefit the Filipino people! Previous Activities Share the News! Previous PostNext Post Latest Posts​ 08 Dec 2024 AGRI PL URGES SENATE, HREP TO PROTECT AGRI BUDGET FOR 2025 28 Nov 2024 Expanded Crop Insurance Key to Food Security, Says AGRI Party-list 26 Nov 2024 AGRI Party-list Urges Senate to Prioritize Crop Insurance Expansion Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities 2024

Cong. Wilbert Lee: Supporting Farmers is Best Solution to Curb Inflation

2024, Support / By

Cong. Wilbert Lee: Supporting Farmers is Best Solution to Curb Inflation Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” Lee is urging the government to strengthen support for farmers as a sustainable solution to high inflation, especially with food prices contributing significantly to inflation rates. At a recent Kapihan sa QC forum, Lee emphasized the risks of relying solely on imported goods to address price hikes. “Ang ating mga magsasaka ang dapat laging isaalang-alang sa bawat polisiya,” he shared, noting that imported products could undermine local farmers’ livelihoods if unchecked. Lee has been a consistent advocate for Filipino farmers, proposing measures that ensure they receive fair compensation and support. His Cheaper Rice Act would mandate higher purchase prices for local palay, helping farmers stay competitive amid the influx of imported rice. Additionally, Lee has introduced bills to strengthen post-harvest facilities and market access for farmers, giving them the tools to enhance productivity and lower production costs. The solon highlighted that local farmers deserve better and that giving them support will benefit all Filipinos. As more farmers are encouraged to grow their businesses, food production will increase, which will ultimately lower prices in the market. “Kapag mas malaki ang kita ng ating mga magsasaka, tataas ang produksyon, dadami ang supply, at bababa ang presyo sa merkado,” Lee stated, believing that empowering farmers is the best way to safeguard the nation against inflation. #EmpowerFarmers #FoodSecurityPH #AGRIForThePeople Previous Activities Share the News! Previous Post Latest Posts​ 06 Nov 2024 Cong. Wilbert Lee: Supporting Farmers is Best Solution to Curb Inflation 01 Nov 2024 Cong. Wilbert Lee: “Ang pinakamabisang solusyon sa inflation ay pagtulong sa mga magsasaka” 31 Oct 2024 Cong. Wilbert Lee Champions Bigger Budget for Agriculture in 2025 Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities 2024