AGRI PARTY-LIST

Climate Change

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

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 Warns of Long-Term Risks from Cuts to Agriculture Budget

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

Cong. Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee Advocates for Stronger Support to Farmers Amid Inflation

Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” Lee Advocates for Stronger Support to Farmers Amid Inflation Amid rising inflation and the recent rice tariff cut, AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee calls for stronger government support for local farmers. Speaking at the Kapihan sa QC forum, Lee expressed concerns over how reduced tariffs on rice imports will impact local producers, emphasizing that while importation may temporarily lower prices, it risks driving farmers into debt. Lee stressed that boosting support for local farmers is the key to addressing the long-term issue of high food prices in the Philippines. The Bicolano solon underscored the importance of self-sufficiency in food production, warning of the risks associated with relying too heavily on imports. “Hindi tayo pwedeng nakaasa lang sa importation,” Lee stated, pointing out that global conflicts, disasters, and climate change could disrupt food exports at any moment. Supporting farmers will not only sustain their livelihoods but also reduce the nation’s dependence on imports, which can be unpredictable. Lee’s call for agricultural support includes his Cheaper Rice Act, which would require the Department of Agriculture (DA) to purchase local palay at a price P5-P10 above the standard farmgate price. This measure would both increase farmers’ income and eventually help lower rice prices for consumers. “Naniniwala tayo na mas epektibo nating mapapababa ang presyo ng pagkain sa dagdag na suporta sa ating mga magsasaka!” he added. #SupportLocalFarmers #FoodSecurityPH #WilbertLeeAdvocacy Previous Activities Share the News! Previous Post Latest Posts​ 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 30 Oct 2024 Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee Demands Action on Coconut Farmers’ Health Benefits Amid Delays Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities 2024

Cheaper Rice now! Cong. Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee Calls for Efficient Supply Chain to Stabilize Rice Costs​

Cheaper Rice now! Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee Calls for Efficient Supply Chain to Stabilize Rice Costs Amid mounting concerns over the escalating price of rice, Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee has issued a strong call for a seamless supply chain to combat the issue. By proposing increased manpower at ports and round-the-clock operations, Lee aims to clear the backlog of rice shipments and ensure a steady flow of goods to the market. “Mabilis at epektibong supply chain ang kailangan para masigurong mababa ang presyo ng pagkain,” Lee remarked, stressing the need for both immediate and long-term solutions to stabilize rice prices. Lee also called for stronger support for local agriculture, stating, “Sa suporta sa agrikultura, panalo ang masa.” #FixTheSupplyChain #AgriculturalSupport #WilbertLeeForAgriculture #LowerFoodPricesNow Advocacy Share the News! Previous 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

Optimize PH Carabao Center To Boost Dairy Industry – Lee

Optimize PH Carabao Center To Boost Dairy Industry – Lee AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee on Wednesday said that optimizing the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) by increasing its budget and upgrading its research and innovation, will help revive the dairy industry post-El Niño.  This, after the National Dairy Authority (NDA) sought P2.5 billion budget to support the procurement of at least 5,000 imported cattle and setting up of laboratory facilities in its six regional offices to boost the country’s local milk production.  Lee, who just came recently from a 2-day visit in multiple towns and cities in Bulacan including San Jose del Monte, Sta. Maria, Bocaue, Pandi, Meycauayan, Guiguinto, Malolos, Plaridel and Calumpit, said, “We support the goal of the NDA to increase the dairy production and develop our local dairy industry. Kaya isinusulong rin natin na madagdagan ang budget ng mga ahensiya ng gobyerno na may kinalaman sa pagpapalago nito.”  The Bicolano lawmaker said aside from procuring cattle, research and development on carabaos also need to be boosted.  “Research and innovation on both cattle and carabaos are vital to ensuring the dairy industry continues to improve practices and minimize impacts of extreme weather conditions while improving milk production,” he said.  “Sa ngayon halos P89 million lang ang nakalaan para sa Research and Development ng National Carabao Development Program ng PCC at P274 million naman para sa kanilang Herd Build-up of Genetically-Improved Dairy Buffalos. Dapat madagdagan ang suporta natin dito, ” he added.  “Carabaos are hardy, low-maintenance animals. They can thrive on local grasses and do not need expensive feeds, making them well-suited for small-scale farmers. Apart from their agricultural use, carabaos also provide milk,” he further said.  The Herd Build-up program is set to bolster local dairy stocks and local milk production through a series of strategic initiatives. Additional funds will facilitate the procurement of new dairy buffalos, enhance local production at PCC-operated nucleus dairy buffalo farms and agistment farms. It will also provide essential breeding services to Farmers Cooperative and Associations (FCA) partners and dairy buffalo health and nutritional services. More funding will also help enhance and develop dairy buffalo farms and other dairy buffalo facilities of the PCC  According to  Dairy Confederation of the Philippines, there are currently 2.6 million cows in the country but only 27,000 are used for dairy. On the other hand, there are 2.8 million carabaos but only 19,000 are dairy types. “Mahalaga na sa pagbibigay ng dagdag na budget, may kongkretong plano, maayos na implementasyon at mga pasilidad. Halimbawa, we cannot afford to import cattles used for dairy without proper acclimatization facility, dahil kung wala nito, marami talagang mamamatay pagka-import. Hindi pwedeng ura-urada dahil para lang tayong nagtatapon ng pondo,” the solon from Bicol pointed out. “Napakalayo pa ng ating bansa sa pagkamit ng milk sufficiency. Kaya dapat maging kayod-kalabaw din ang gobyerno sa pagsuporta sa mga ahensya para mapaunlad ang local dairy industry at hindi tayo laging dependent sa importation. We deserve better and it is our right to demand better services and demand more opportunities in our country.”  “Winner Tayo Lahat sa pagpapaunlad sa bawat sektor at industriya na lumilikha ng tiyak at karagdagang trabaho, sa pagsusulong ng dagdag na kita, sapat, abot-kaya at masustansyang pagkain sa bawat pamilya, at pagkakaroon ng kapanatagan ng loob na magkasakit man, hindi malulubog sa hirap at utang dahil sa patas at mapagmalasakit na serbisyong pangkalusugan,” 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

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