AGRI PARTY-LIST

Agricultural Funding

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

Advocacy / By

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

More post-harvest facilities, lower food prices: ‘Wag tipirin ang mga magsasaka!’ – Lee

2024, Advocacy / By

More post-harvest facilities, lower food prices: ‘Wag tipirin ang mga magsasaka!’ – Lee AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee reiterated the crucial role of post-harvest facilities such as cold storages, dryers, and transport facilities to help farmers increase their income and lower food prices.  Lee renewed his call to prioritize these facilities after Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said on Tuesday that a total of P93 billion is needed to build post-harvest facilities and prevent wasting corn and rice.  According to the DA Secretary, around 12.7% to 15% of rice production is lost due to lack of post-harvest facilities. “We support the plan of Sec. Laurel to fund these projects dahil matagal na rin po nating panawagan ang paglalaan ng dagdag na pondo para sa post-harvest facilities,” Lee said. “We call on the House leadership to deliberate soon our proposed House Bill No. 3958 or the “Post-Harvest Facilities Support Act” and compel the government to construct and provide post-harvest facilities across the country,” he added. During the past budget deliberations, Lee repeatedly pointed out that not enough agricultural products reach the market due to extremely high post-harvest losses and lack of post-harvest services.  Lee also previously questioned the DA on why the agency continued to propose low budgets for the said facilities despite the recurring problems of farmers on this phase of the agriculture value chain. “Napakalaki ng diperensya sa pondong ipinagkakaloob para sa pre-harvest activities kumpara sa inilalaan sa post-harvest facilities and services. Ang suporta ng gobyerno, hindi dapat natatapos sa pagtatanim, dapat tuloy-tuloy ito hanggang sa anihan at paghahatid ng produkto sa merkado at mga consumers,” stressed the solon.  It can be recalled that during the plenary deliberations of the proposed 2024 budget of DA last year, Lee proposed to streamline and simplify the requirements to facilitate the distribution of services and establishment of facilities that will help farmers and fisherfolk increase their production, which the agency committed to do. “Nakapanlulumo yung ilang beses na nating nababalitaan na kung hindi man sinisira na lang ng mga magsasaka ang kanilang produkto, ay bumibiyahe pa sila nang napakalayo at ibinebenta na lang ang ani nang palugi kesa mabulok,” he said.  “Hindi dapat tinetengga o tinitipid ang pondo para sa mga magsasaka at buong sektor ng agrikultura. Magiging Winner Tayo Lahat, mula sa mga agri workers na kikita nang mas malaki, at consumers na makakatipid sa mas murang bilihin, kung imbes na mga walang silbing proyekto, ay itong mga post-harvest facilities ang tinataasan ang pondo at mabilis na itinatayo at ipinamimigay,” the lawmaker added. Advocacy Share the News! Next 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