AGRI PARTY-LIST

Agricultural Advocacy

Manoy Wilbert Lee emphasizes food security as a national security priority.

Murang Pagkain, ‘wag hulihin!AGRI PL to DOTr: OPEN EDSA BUSWAY FOR AGRI, FOOD DELIVERY VEHICLES AT NIGHT

Advocacy / By

Murang Pagkain, ‘wag hulihin! AGRI PL to DOTr: OPEN EDSA BUSWAY FOR AGRI, FOOD DELIVERY VEHICLES AT NIGHT AGRI Party-list Representative and Senatorial Aspirant Manoy Wilbert Lee has filed a measure urging the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to open and expand the EDSA busway during night hours for the use of agricultural and food delivery vehicles, to facilitate the efficient transport of essential supplies, promote food security and lower prices. AGRI Party-list pointed out that the transport of agricultural goods faces several challenges, particularly in Metro Manila, where traffic congestion hampers the timely arrival of perishable goods, leading to food wastage and increased costs for both suppliers and consumers. In filing House Resolution No. 2162, AGRI seeks to accommodate agricultural and food delivery vehicles, particularly those transporting perishable goods, from 10PM to 5AM, including Sundays and holidays, as a means of ensuring the prompt and efficient movement of essential food supplies into Metro Manila. “Through this, we can ensure the timely transport of fresh produce, meats, dairy, and other essential food items to Metro Manila and neighboring areas, which will help lower food prices and achieve food security,” AGRI said. According to the Resolution, such arrangements can be developed into a formal policy to ensure that all necessary measures are in place to regulate the entry of agricultural and food delivery vehicles and avoid potential disruptions to the primary function of the busway, including the proper coordination with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). “DOTr must facilitate consultations with agricultural and food industry stakeholders to further optimize the logistics of food supply chains and address issues related to food distribution within the National Capital Region. Gusto nating maipatupad ito para makatulong, at hindi maging dagdag na abala o pabigat sa lahat ng ating mga kababayan,” AGRI said. “Bukod sa dagdag na suporta sa ating mga magsasaka, mangingisda, at local food producers, kailangan nating maglatag at magpatupad ng mga hakbang para masiguro ang mabilis na biyahe ng produkto patungong merkado, na magpapababa sa presyo ng pagkain,” it added. AGRI Party-list also reiterated its advocacy for cheaper prices of food for the benefit of Filipinos saying, “Napakahalaga na mapagaan ang pasanin ng ating mga kababayan sa pamamagitan ng murang pagkain na maihahain sa kani-kanilang hapag-kainan, kaya lahat ng rason kung bakit nagmamahal ang mga ito ay dapat solusyunan agad.” AGRI Party-list has been consistently pushing for legislative measures that will reduce the prices of food in the market by providing additional support for the agricultural sector and protecting the livelihood of local food producers. AGRI recently filed House Resolution No. 2158 to investigate the sudden and drastic increase in the retail price of tomatoes, and determine the role of price manipulators, hoarders and cartels in the possible “artificial tomato crisis” causing the price hike. “Ang paniwala natin: Sa suporta sa agrikultura, panalo ang masa. Dapat nang mawala sa eksena at panagutin ang mga demonyo at kriminal na kumikitil sa ating ekonomiya, lalo na sa kabuhayan ng mga kababayan nating buong buhay na nagsisikap para sa pamilya at para may makain ang buong bansa,” AGRI stated. “Tungkulin ng gobyernong tiyakin na may sapat na proteksyon sa hanapbuhay ang ating mga magsasaka, mangingisda, at local food producers na itinuturing nating “food security soldiers” para mapataas ang lokal na produksyon, dumami ang supply sa merkado, at mapababa ang presyo ng pagkain at bilihin. Murang pagkain, gawin na natin!” it added. Previous Activities Share the News! Previous Post Latest Posts​ 15 Jan 2025 Murang Pagkain, 'wag hulihin!AGRI PL to DOTr: OPEN EDSA BUSWAY FOR AGRI, FOOD DELIVERY VEHICLES AT NIGHT 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 Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities 2024

Cong. Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee Urges PhilHealth, PCA to Fulfill Commitments to Coconut Farmers’ Health

2024, Support / By

Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee Urges PhilHealth, PCA to Fulfill Commitments to Coconut Farmers’ Health As coconut farmers await promised health benefits, Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee reminded PhilHealth and PCA of their obligations under the CFITF Act. Lee emphasized that these benefits, which include increased PhilHealth coverage for critical treatments, are critical for the welfare and financial security of farmers. “Ang pondo para sa mga magniniyog, dapat gamitin para sa serbisyo at benepisyo para sa kanila,” Lee stressed, calling for immediate action. #HealthcareForFarmers #SupportLocalIndustries #WilbertLeeAdvocacy #AGRIList Previous Activities Share the News! Previous Post Latest Posts​ 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 25 Oct 2024 AGRI Party-list Ranks 8th in Tangere Poll for 2025 Elections,  Vows to Continue Advocacy for Farmers Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities 2024

Filipino farmers benefiting from improved post-harvest facilities under Manoy Wilbert Lee’s agricultural advocacy.

Amid Agri Products Wastage, Lee Calls For Strengthening Agri Value-Chain, Market Linkages To Ensure Farmers’ Profit

Advocacy / By

Amid Agri Products Wastage, Lee Calls For Strengthening Agri Value-Chain, Market Linkages To Ensure Farmers’ Profit “Sayang na naman. Paulit-ulit na lang.”  This was how AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee lamented the recent news of Isabela farmers dumping thousands of kilos of unsold mangoes due to the very low price being offered by middlemen and wholesalers.  “Nakalulungkot at talagang nakapanghihinayang ang ganitong balita na pinipili na lang itapon ng ating mga magsasaka ang kanilang ani dahil wala silang mapagbentahan, at kung meron man, lugi pa sila sa gagastusin,” the solon said.  “Pera, pagod at oras ang ipinuhunan dito ng ating mga magsasaka, tapos ang ending, wala silang kikitain ni singko? Walang naiiwan sa kanila, kung meron man, utang,” he added.  According to the Bicolano lawmaker, this has become the grim reality of Filipino farmers and it is an injustice to sit idly while these problems persist. “Paulit-ulit na ang ganitong scenario, may viral video, ma-me-media, tapos magsasabi ng solusyon ang gobyerno. Pero pagkatapos ng ilang buwan, meron na namang mangyayari na kaparehong insidente. Sino ang lalong nakakawawa dito? Hindi pwedeng pang-press release lang ang tulong sa ating mga magsasaka!”, Lee stressed.  “Sariwa pa sa alaala natin yung pinagtatadtad na repolyo sa Benguet para maging pataba at isang truck ng kamatis sa Nueva Vizcaya na itinapon na lang sa gilid ng kalsada dahil sa napakababang bentahan sa merkado. Nandyan din yung P100 kada 5 kilo ng luya sa Nueva Vizcaya, at yung oversupply ng bawang sa Batanes at marami pang produkto na kung hindi man nasasayang at pinamimigay ay ibinebenta na lang nang palugi,” he added.  The solon from Bicol then reiterated his call to strategize and strengthen the country’s agri value chain to avoid wastage or losses along the process. He also underscored the importance of providing market linkages to facilitate the selling of agri products and ensure the income of farmers.  “When we reviewed the 2024 DA budget, P55.97 billion was allotted for pre-harvest activities, while the allocated budget for post-harvest activities is just P16.40 billion,” Lee pointed out.  “Matagal na natin itong ipinapanawagan. Kung mananatiling ganito ang strategy ng gobyerno, talagang uulit lang ang mga problema. We are not saying that we need to cut the budget for pre-harvest activities dahil mahalaga rin ito para mapataas ang produksyon. Kailangan ng sapat at tuloy-tuloy na suporta mula sa pagtatanim, anihan, hanggang sa paghahatid at pagbebenta ng produkto sa merkado,” he added.  Lee renewed his call for the urgent passage of his proposed House Bill No. 3958 or the “Post-Harvest Facilities Support Act”, which mandates the government to fund the construction of warehouses, cold storages, rice mills, transport facilities, dryers, and threshers, among others. He also pushed for the passage of HB No. 3957 or the “Kadiwa Agri-Food Terminal Act” to scale up and institutionalize Kadiwa stores in every city and municipality which serve as a venue for farmers and fisherfolk to sell produce directly to consumers at cheaper prices, liberating them from the control of unscrupulous traders and middlemen.  “Imbes na pagkalugi ang madalas nangyayari kapag may oversupply, baguhin natin ang ending nito kung saan Winner Tayo Lahat. Siguruhin natin na may pagdadalhan at mabebentahan ang mga ani para matiyak ang kita ng mga magsasaka, mas ma-engganyo silang magpatuloy sa pagpapataas ng produksyon, na magpapababa naman sa presyo ng bilihin,” the lawmaker said.  Sa paraang ito, bukod sa maiibsan ang pasanin ng ating mga kababayan, mababawasan din ang pangamba nila sa pagkakasakit, sa takot na lalong malugmok sa kahirapan dahil walang pambili ng gamot o pambayad sa ospital.” “Hindi tayo pwedeng maging manhid sa ganitong trahedya sa kabuhayan ng ating mga magsasaka. Filipino farmers deserve better and we must demand better services for them, our food security soldiers,” 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