AGRI PARTY-LIST

Legislation

Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee Demands Action on Coconut Farmers’ Health Benefits Amid Delays

Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee Demands Action on Coconut Farmers’ Health Benefits Amid Delays Following delays in implementing health benefits for coconut farmers, Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee reiterated his call for PhilHealth and Philippine Coconut Authority to fast-track promised benefits, including free diagnostics and increased financial support. Lee, a staunch health advocate, stressed that health funds must prioritize those they were intended to serve. “Gawin na natin! Bawasan natin ang kanilang pangamba sa pagkakasakit,” Lee said, pushing for tangible progress in health benefits delivery. #CoconutFarmersDeserveBetter #HealthAndWelfare #WilbertLeeForProgress #AGRI2025 Previous Activities Share the News! Previous Post Latest Posts​ 30 Oct 2024 Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee Demands Action on Coconut Farmers’ Health Benefits Amid Delays 29 Oct 2024 Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee Urges PhilHealth, PCA to Fulfill Commitments to Coconut Farmers’ Health 28 Oct 2024 Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee Calls on PhilHealth, PCA to Deliver Health Benefits for Coconut Farmers Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities 2024

Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee Calls on PhilHealth, PCA to Deliver Health Benefits for Coconut Farmers

Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee Calls on PhilHealth, PCA to Deliver Health Benefits for Coconut Farmers In light of delays, Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee has urged PhilHealth and PCA to expedite long-overdue health benefits for coconut farmers as mandated by the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund (CFITF) Act. Lee highlighted the urgent need to address healthcare needs in the coconut industry, stressing that health support for farmers is essential for the industry’s progress.. “Dapat agaran nang maipatupad ang mga benepisyong pangkalusugan para sa mga magniniyog na matagal na dapat naipagkaloob,” Lee stated. #SupportCoconutFarmers #WilbertLeeForHealthcare #PhilHealthBenefits #AGRIForThePeople Previous Activities Share the News! Previous Post Latest Posts​ 28 Oct 2024 Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee Calls on PhilHealth, PCA to Deliver Health Benefits for Coconut Farmers 25 Oct 2024 AGRI Party-list Ranks 8th in Tangere Poll for 2025 Elections,  Vows to Continue Advocacy for Farmers 24 Oct 2024 GRI Party-list Ranks Among Top Choices for 2025 Midterm Elections, Says Tangere Survey Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities 2024

All Hands On Deck! Lee Urges DA To Tap HPG, PPA To Man ASF Checkpoints Along Highways, Seaports

All Hands On Deck! Lee Urges DA To Tap HPG, PPA To Man ASF Checkpoints Along Highways, Seaports Cong Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) to set up more checkpoints not only along roads but also in seaports to curb the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the country. “Napaka-crucial ng mahigpit na pagbabantay para hindi na kumalat ang ASF na dahilan ng sobrang pagkalugi ng ating mga magbababoy. Milyon-milyon po ang nalulugi sa ating mga hog raisers, paano naman ang mga pamilya nila na dito lang inaasa ang pantustos sa pagkain at iba pang pangangailangan?” Lee, who recently attended as guest speaker at the Agarwood Orientation Seminar in Maasin, Leyte, asked. “Kaya dapat dagdagan pa ng DA ang checkpoints nila para rito, lalo na may mga ulat na kumakalat na ang mga baboy palabas sa mga lugar na may ASF patungo sa ibang parte ng Luzon,” he said. Previously, the DA’s Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) seized two trucks in Quezon City carrying infected hogs reportedly from Quezon province. The trucks were on their way to Pangasinan province. Lee said the DA should partner up with Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) as well as the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to augment BAI manning checkpoints, aside from tapping personnel of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). “While we laud the BAI for proactively looking into tapping MMDA and local traffic enforcers to man checkpoints in Metro Manila, all hands must be on deck to genuinely curb ASF. We have force multipliers available from the PNP, HPG and from PPA that could be deployed should the BAI decide to set up more checkpoints along major highways and ports,” the solon from Bicol said. There are currently six meat inspection checkpoints across the National Capital Region (NCR) to ensure that the pigs being delivered to slaughterhouses and in markets are ASF-free. “Ayaw natin na maging epidemya itong ASF lalo pa’t wala pang sapat na bakuna sa bansa laban dito. Hindi pwedeng malamya sa pagpuksa ng ASF. Dapat doble-kayod ang gobyerno dito at tapatan ng agrisibong aksyon at mabilis na solusyon ang pagpigil sa pagkalat ng sakit,” Lee stressed. The Bicolano lawmaker also urged the government into preparing to declare a state of national calamity should ASF spread beyond what could be controlled by the ASF vaccines, which have been earlier procured. “2019 pa lang, nagkaroon na ng kaso ng ASF sa bansa. Huwag tayong maglokohan dito. Paulit-ulit na ito kaya walang excuse na di magkaroon ng komprehensibong plano para mapigilan ang pagkalat ng sakit, matulungan ang mga apektadong hog raisers, masigurong hindi magkukulang ang supply at protektahan ang mga consumers sa posibleng pagtaas ng presyo ng karne ng baboy,” he said. Earlier, Lee filed House Resolution No. 1956 to investigate the escalating impact of ASF while calling relevant government agencies to provide assistance to hog raisers and prevent possible hike in pork prices. “Filipinos deserve better so we should demand better protocols to protect the livelihood of local food producers and welfare of our consumers. Tulong-tulong po tayo: Tiyak na kabuhayan at dagdag na kita, gawin na natin. Murang pagkain, gawin na natin!” he stated. Previous Activities Share the News! Previous Post Latest Posts​ 11 Oct 2024 All Hands On Deck! Lee Urges DA To Tap HPG, PPA To Man ASF Checkpoints Along Highways, Seaports 11 Oct 2024 Lee Welcomes NFA’s Higher Palay Buying Price, Bats For Cheaper Rice Act 11 Oct 2024 Lawmakers Unite Behind Lee’s Call To Increase DA Budget To Lower Food Prices Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities

Lee Welcomes NFA’s Higher Palay Buying Price, Bats For Cheaper Rice Act

Lee Welcomes NFA’s Higher Palay Buying Price, Bats For Cheaper Rice Act AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee lauded the recent approval of the National Food Authority (NFA) Council to buy local palay for a higher price to beef up the country’s rice buffer stock. According to the NFA Council, the approved increase in the procurement price of rice will give them flexibility to compete with private traders and help rice farmers boost their income. The NFA buying price now for dry and clean local palay is P23 to P30 per kilo from the previous P19 to P23 per kilo, while wet and fresh palay will be purchased at P17 to P23 a kilo from P16 to P19 per kilo. “The administration’s measure to boost the country’s rice buffer stock by buying local palay at a higher price is what the farmers—our food security soldiers—need now more than ever as they struggle with the effects of El Niño and low income. Spending more to boost their productivity is the right way to go,” Lee said. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. underscored the importance of increasing the buying price for palay, saying “we need to ensure that our farmers make money to encourage them to continue planting and even expand the area planted to rice.” The Bicolano lawmaker then reiterated his call for the urgent passage of his proposed House Bill No. 9020 or the “Cheaper Rice Act” which will institutionalize the “price subsidy” program for the government to buy palay from local farmers at a higher price to ensure their profit and entice them to boost their production. “Sa panukala nating Cheaper Rice Act, isasabatas na natin 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 para siguradong kikita sila. Kapag may kita, magpupursige silang taasan ang kanilang produksyon. Kapag dumami ang supply ng bigas, bababa rin ang presyo sa merkado, na aambag din sa pagkamit ng food security sa bansa,” explained Lee. “Kung gusto nating maabot ang P20/kilo ng bigas, dapat gawing priority measure ang panukala nating ito nang maisabatas na sa lalong madaling panahon,” the solon earlier said. Lee added that this legislation will also address the concerns that farmers are forced to sell their land because they are not earning. “Kung may kita, wala po sigurong magsasaka na makakaisip na ibenta ang kanilang lupang sinasaka. Mahihikayat din ang kanilang mga anak at ang kabataan na pasukin ang pagsasaka,” he stressed. “Through this measure, the country will have sufficient supply of rice and we will not rely solely on imports,” Lee further stressed referring to the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) projected rice importation by the Philippines at 3.9 million metric tons (MT) this year, following “strong recent purchases from Vietnam.” “Sa Cheaper Rice Act, hindi na agrabyado ang ating mga magsasaka sa pagbebenta ng palay sa presyong binabarat sila. Panalo din ang consumer sa idudulot nitong mas mababang presyo ng bigas. Sa dulo, bawas pangamba ito sa bawat Pilipino na kakapusin ang kanilang budget sa iba pang pangangailangan, lalo na kung may magkasakit sa pamilya, kaya Winner Tayo Lahat,” Lee said. 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

Passage Of Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act To Bring Down Food Prices – Lee

Passage Of Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act To Bring Down Food Prices – Lee With the recent ratification of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee said that going after smugglers, hoarders, price manipulators and cartels would effectively bring down food prices which remains to be the main contributor to the overall inflation which rose to 4.4 percent in July. During his trip to Davao Region, Lee said: “Having this Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act signed into law would give the government more teeth to go after hoarders and price manipulators preying on consumers. This is important to stabilize the price of food and other basic commodities which continue to burden Filipinos.” “Dapat habulin at panagutin ang mga demonyong pumapatay sa kabuhayan ng ating local food producers at pabigat sa consumers. Filipinos deserve this law to be implemented because they deserve to be able to have access to basic needs that they need to survive,” Lee, the principal author of the measure, added. Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act seeks to include and penalize other unlawful acts of market abuses, as well as impose a stricter penalty for public officials or employees who tolerate and protect large-scale agricultural smuggling, and other market abuses, namely but not limited to, hoarding, profiteering, or cartel in the country. The House of Representatives passed its version of the proposed law, House Bill No. 9284 on September 27, 2023, while the Senate passed its counterpart Senate Bill No. 2432 on December 12, 2023. The Bicolano lawmaker had previously likened hoarders and price manipulators of agricultural goods to the “devil” and said they needed to be jailed for their crimes. “Parang walang katapusan ang pagtaas ng presyo ng pagkain at iba pang bilihin, na lalong pinapalala ng mga walanghiyang smugglers and hoarders. Marami na ngang hirap sa buhay, lalo pa nilang pinapabigat ang pasanin ng ating mga kababayan. Demonyo lang talaga ang mag-iisip na ayos lang magutom ang kapwa basta kumita sila,” Lee said. “Pirma na nga lang po ng Pangulong Bongbong Marcos ang hihintayin natin at ganap nang maisasabatas ang mas pinalakas na Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Law. Panahon na para maipakulong ang mga nasa likod ng mga krimeng nagpapabagsak sa kabuhayan ng ating mga magsasaka, mangingisda, at sa ating ekonomiya. Dapat lahat sila masampolan!” the solon from Bicol added. Earlier, Lee also filed House Resolution No. 1600 to probe the proliferation of online selling of smuggled onions and protect local farmers and consumers. “Panahon na para putulin ang sungay ng mga agri-smugglers, hoarders at price manipulators. Sapat na kita at proteksyon sa local food producers at consumers, gawin na natin. Murang pagkain, gawin na natin!” he said. Share the News! Legislation 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 Determined To Increase Agri Budget

Lee Determined To Increase Agri Budget 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. 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 To DA: Invest In Research On Climate-Resilient Crop Varieties

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

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 To DENR: Update List Of Abandoned, Undeveloped, Underutilized Fishponds For Mangrove Conversion

Lee To DENR: Update List Of Abandoned, Undeveloped, Underutilized Fishponds For Mangrove Conversion AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee on Wednesday urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to update its list of abandoned, undeveloped, and underutilized (AUU) ponds covered by Fishpond Lease Agreements (FLA) so that these may be converted back to mangrove forests. Citing the Amended Fisheries Code, Lee said it is the duty of the DENR, together with local government units, other concerned agencies, and Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Councils (FARMCs), to determine which AUU fishponds covered by FLAs can be reverted to their original mangrove state and to take all steps necessary to restore such areas in their original mangrove state after such determination has been made. “Mangrove forests are important especially in coastal communities as they provide not only a source of food but also protect coastlines and prevent erosion,” he said. “Malinaw po na nakasaad sa Republic Act No. 8550 o Fisheries Code na kailangang mayroong listahan ang DENR ng mga hindi na ginagamit o napabayaan nang mga palaisdaan. Responsibilidad din ng DENR na ibalik ang mga ito sa pagiging mangrove forests,” he added as he called for the full implementation of the law. Lee undercored the need to tighten the implementation of laws and policies, stressing that “We already have the law in place, kailangan lang ang maayos at seryosong pagpapatupad nito.” “Dapat maipatupad ang mga batas sa pangangalaga sa kalikasan bilang proteksyon din ng ating mamamayan mula sa sakuna, at para mabigyan sila ng tiyak na kabuhayan, dagdag na kita, sapat at masustansyang pagkain, at mabawasan ang pangamba na wala silang panggastos ‘pag sila ay nagkasakit,” the solon said. The Bicolano lawmaker also called for adequate budgetary support to fast-track the conversion of the AUU fishponds back to their original mangrove state, as part of the effort to restore mangrove cover in the country. “According to scientists and leading maritime conservation groups, about 50 percent of our mangroves have been lost to fishpond conversion and other coastal projects, making us the second worst country in Southeast Asia in terms of mangrove losses. It is high time that we do something about this,” he said. Moreover, Lee, principal author of House Bill No. 9662, or the “Blue Economy Act,” called on the Senate to approve their version of the bill. The proposed legislation would provide a framework for the safe use and sustainable development of maritime resources in the country. “Blue economy” refers to a practical ocean-based economic model using green infrastructure and technologies, innovative financing mechanisms, and proactive institutional arrangements for meeting the twin goals of protecting our oceans and coasts and enhancing its potential contribution to sustainable development, including improving human well-being, and reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. “Kailangan nating pangalagaan ang ating yamang tubig upang mapakinabangan din ito ng mga susunod pang henerasyon para Winner Tayo Lahat, maging ang ating mga apo sa tuhod at apo sa talampakan. Huwag nating paabutin sa puntong huli na ang lahat bago tayo kumilos,” he said. 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 Previous Activities Legislation Support

Construction Of More Post-Harvest Facilities Needed To Complement Increase In Agri Loans – Lee

Construction Of More Post-Harvest Facilities Needed To Complement Increase In Agri Loans – Lee The government should ramp up the construction of post-harvest facilities this year to complement the increased borrowing of farmers for strategic financing for agriculture and fisheries production, AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee said on Wednesday. Lee issued the call after the Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) reported loans to agriculture and rural development stood at P755.1 billion at the end of 2023, equivalent to a 23% growth compared to the third quarter of last year. “Natutuwa tayo na nakapagpautang ang Landbank ng P255.2 billion para sa agriculture, fisheries, at rural development infrastructure projects tulad ng public markets, highways, and transport systems; P118.1 billion para sa processing ng fisheries, agri-based products at farm inputs; at P70 billion para sa modernisasyon ng pagsasaka at business processes. Malaking tulong ito para mapatatag ang ating supply chain at mapababa ang presyo ng mga produktong agrikultura,” Lee said. “Pero kasabay nito, kailangan ding tapatan ng ating pamahalaan ang mga inutang ng ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda ng dagdag na infrastructure projects na popondohan ng kaban ng bayan, lalong lalo na sa post-harvest facilities katulad ng cold storage,” he stressed. The Bicolano lawmaker pointed out that extremely high post-harvest losses have perennially shrunk the volume of agricultural products reaching the market, driving prices upwards. “Matagal na po nating sinasabi na kailangang tutukan ang mga pasilidad na dinadaanan ng mga produkto bago makarating sa merkado. As agricultural loans increase, the government must also allocate more funding to improve and facilitate farm-to-market linkages and provide additional support to post-harvest facilities,” he said. Lee previously said the lack of post-harvest facilities may have contributed to low local production and high prices of agricultural products, such as onions and other vegetables. “Sa kakulangan ng post-harvest facilities, marami ang nasasayang, nalalamog o nabubulok na mga produkto, at malaki rin ang ginagastos sa pahirapang paghahatid ng ani sa merkado,” the legislator said. Lee renewed his call for the passage of House Bill No. 3958, which mandates the government to fund the construction of post-harvest facilities like warehouses, rice mills, and transport facilities. The solon also urged and secured the commitment of the Department of Agriculture to simplify and streamline the tedious and cumbersome requirements needed by farmers, fisherfolk and cooperatives in order to receive much-needed assistance to boost their production, stressing that “hindi dapat kilo-kilometro ang requirements ng gobyerno bago tulungan ang mga nangangailangan nating kababayan.” “Panahon na para gawing prayoridad ang pagpapagawa ng post-harvest facilities. Hindi sapat na ang suporta sa mga agri workers ay hanggang pre-harvest o pagtatanim lamang, dapat silang tulungan hanggang sa anihan at pagbebenta ng produkto,” he said. “Sa dagdag na suporta para sa post-harvest facilities, may dagdag na kita ang mga magsasaka at mangingisda, may dagdag pantustos sa pangangailangan ng pamilya, at bawas pangamba naman lalo sa panahon ng pagkakasakit. Bukod dito, tataas ang lokal na produksyon tungo sa food security, at mas mapapababa ang presyo sa merkado, kung saan Winner Tayo Lahat,” he added.  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 Previous Activities Legislation Support