AGRI PARTY-LIST

Advocacy

Restoring NFA Power To Sell Rice To Bring Price To As Low As P37/Kilo — Lee

Restoring NFA Power To Sell Rice To Bring Price To As Low As P37/Kilo — Lee In the House deliberations on amending Republic Act No. 11023 or the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee has reiterated his call to restore the National Food Authority’s (NFA) power to buy palay from local farmers which would be sold at a cheaper price in the market for as low as P37 per kilo. According to Lee, if NFA were allowed to buy local palay and sell it to the public, it might result in P37 to P40 per kilo in the market, from the current P51 to P57 per kilo.  “Sa pag-amyenda ng RTL, dapat ibalik na ang mandato ng NFA na pagbili ng palay sa lokal na mga magsasaka, hindi lang para siguruhin ang kita ng ating local food producers, kundi para mapababa rin ang presyo ng bigas,” the Bicolano lawmaker said.  “Dapat may choice ang consumers, hindi yung napipilitan silang bumili ng mahal na bigas na napatungan na ng mga traders ang presyo. Kung maibabalik ang mandatong ito sa NFA, mapoprotektahan ang kabuhayan ng ating mga magsasaka at ma-e-engganyo silang pataasin ang produksyon. Mas makakamura sa NFA rice ang marami nating kababayan, kung saan ang matitipid na budget ay pwede nang magamit sa ibang pangangailangan, tulad sa panahon ng pagkakasakit,” he added.  The enactment of the RTL in 2019 prohibited the NFA from directly selling rice stocks to the market and limited its function to storing buffer stocks for calamities.    During the recent briefing at the House Committee on Agriculture and Food, the Department of Agriculture (DA) expressed its commitment to study the proposal to restore the NFA power to sell cheaper rice to the public.  The DA likewise proposed reallocation of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) as follows: 55% from 50% for farm machinery and equipment, retain 30% for Rice Seed Development, and 5% new allotment for the Soil Health Improvement, among others.  Lee, who filed House Resolution No. 1636 to scrutinize the impact of RCEF, welcomed these proposed amendments underscoring that the increased allocation for farm machinery and equipment to be implemented by the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) will greatly benefit the productivity of local rice farmers.  “Marami pa rin tayong mga magsasaka ang nangangailangan ng mga farm machinery and equipment. Nakuha na natin ang commitment ng DA nung budget deliberation last year na pabibilisin at sisimplehan nila ang requirements sa pamamahagi nito, kaya magandang ma-extend ang implementasyon ng RTL, siguruhin ang mas maayos na pagpapatupad nito para mas marami pa ang matulungan nating mga magsasaka—ang food security soldiers ng bansa,” Lee said.  While Lee recognizes the high utilization rate of the RCEF Mechanization Program, he pointed out that there must be a proactive effort in supporting potential beneficiaries who cannot comply with the requirements due to the lack of resources such as the capacity to construct warehouses.  “Sa pag-amyenda ng RTL, kaakibat ng distribusyon ng mga kagamitan, dapat mabigyan na rin ng budget ang PhilMech para mapondohan pati na ang pagpapagawa ng warehouses at storage areas, dahil talagang mahihirapan at kakapusin ang mga magsasaka sa pagpapatayo ng mga warehouse,” the solon said.  “Sa pagdiriwang ng Araw ng Paggawa, kinikilala natin ang napakahalagang ambag ng ating mga manggagawa, kabilang ang ating mga agricultural workers. Deserve nila ang mas maraming benepisyo, mas mabilis na serbisyo, at mas malaking kita. Kaya let us demand better.”  “Para sa ating mga magsasaka, dagdagan ang suporta sa paghahatid ng on time na ayuda, access sa mas murang farm inputs, post-harvest facilities, epektibong irigasyon tulad ng solar power irrigation at water impounding system, pati na ang pagbebenta ng produkto sa merkado nang hindi na kailangan pang dumaan sa mapagsamantalang mga middleman at traders. Kapag nagawa ito, siguradong mas mapapababa pa natin ang presyo ng bigas at iba pang agri products.”  “Sa masaganang pagsasaka, mas matutugunan nila ang kanilang mga pangangailangan at ang pagkakaloob ng sapat at abot-kayang pagkain hindi lang para sa pamilya, hindi lang para sa consumers, kundi pati na rin sa buong bansa, Winner Tayo Lahat,” he added. 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

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