AGRI PARTY-LIST

Community Development

Agri Party-List Seeks Reelection, Commits Continued Support for Agri, Vulnerable Sectors

Agri Party-List Seeks Reelection, Commits Continued Support for Agri, Vulnerable Sectors “Sa Suporta sa Agrikultura, Panalo ang Masa.” This was stressed by AGRI Party-list as it filed its Certificate of Candidacy (CoC) for reelection with its advocacy on protecting the rights and livelihood of farmers, fisherfolk, and other local food producers and continuing its fight for job security and improved healthcare in the country.  During the last day of filing, the party-list’s Secretary General Ernanie Calica lodged its Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) for the 2025 Elections.  “Marami na tayong napagtagumpayan sa laban para sa agrikultura pero marami pang hamon ang dapat tugunan. Patuloy nating isusulong ang pangangailangan ng ating mga magsasaka, mangingisda, at iba pa nating agricultural workers na silang pinagmumulan ng pagkain sa hapag-kainan ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” said Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” Lee, AGRI’s Representative this 19th Congress who filed his CoC for Senator for the next elections.  AGRI Party-list maintains its commitment to elevate the country’s agriculture sector to alleviate high food prices.  “Kapag naprotektahan natin ang kabuhayan ng ating mga magsasaka, mangingisda at local food producers na itinuturing natin na ‘food security soldiers’, kapag tiniyak natin ang kanilang kita, ma-e-engganyo silang pataasin ang ani, dadami ang supply, at bababa ang presyo sa merkado. Panalo ang sambayanang Pilipino,” Lee said.  This 19th Congress, AGRI Party-list principally authored landmark legislations such as Republic Act No. 11953 or the “New Agrarian Emancipation Act”, RA 11985 or “Philippine Salt Industry Development Act,” and the recently enacted RA 12022 or the “Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act”. Currently, AGRI is persistently pushing for the passage of  “Cheaper Rice Act,” “Post-harvest Facilities Act,” “Kadiwa Agri-Food Terminal Act” to protect the livelihood of farmers and fisherfolk and provide long-term solutions to rising prices of food. “Sama-sama nating pagtibayin ang ating mga napagtagumpayan. Ituloy natin ang laban para sa mas maunlad na agrikultura, at para sa patas at mapagmalasakit na lipunan,” AGRI stated. 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 Awaits Signing Of Economic Sabotage Law Amid Surge In Agricultural Smuggling

Lee Awaits Signing Of Economic Sabotage Law Amid Surge In Agricultural Smuggling “Hindi pwedeng hanggang kaso lang. Dapat ipakulong yang mga salot na agri-smugglers!” This is what Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee said as he raised the alarm over the surge of smuggled agricultural goods intercepted by Philippine authorities this year. As the principal author of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, Lee expressed optimism that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will soon sign it into law which will impose stricter penalties and hefty fines against large-scale smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, cartelizing, and other market abuses involving agricultural and fishery commodities considered as economic sabotage. “We are hopeful that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will sign this measure into law soon. Dapat seryosong puksain na ang mga krimeng ito na patuloy na kumikitil sa kabuhayan ng mga local food producers at nagmamanipula ng presyo sa merkado na pabigat lalo sa mga consumer,” the solon from Bicol said. “Wakasan na ang kademonyohang ito na walang ibang dulot kundi pasakit sa mga Pilipino. Sampolan na ang mga agri-smugglers, hoarders, price manipulators, at mga kasabwat sa gobyerno!” he added. The Bicolano lawmaker was referring to a series of smuggling cases which have been plaguing the country this year, with authorities from the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Bureau of Customs (BOC) confiscating millions of pesos worth of smuggled agricultural products in multiple operations. These include smuggled agricultural products from China and Taiwan in Subic Port in Zambales amounting to P21.08 million seized by BOC and DA last September 11 and the 3,200 cartons of smuggled oranges from Thailand worth P8.422 million confiscated last week. Apart from the recent cases, Lee pointed out the P5 million worth of suspected smuggled agricultural products in three warehouses in Manila seized in January; at least P100 million worth of smuggled frozen meat and agricultural products seized in Kawit, Cavite in June; and P50 million worth of onions and other goods from China discovered in Navotas in August. The smuggled vegetables found in Navotas later tested positive for pesticide residues, heavy metals, and microbiological contaminants. “Napakahalaga ng batas na ito para protektahan ang kabuhayan ng ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda, magkaroon ng seguridad sa pagkain, mapangalagaan ang kabuhayan ng libo-libong mga Pilipino, at mailayo sa peligro ang kalusugan ng mga consumer na pwedeng makabili ng mga di nasusuring produkto,” he said. A staunch agricultural advocate, Lee has been reiterating that the best defense against inflation is to support the agriculture sector, saying: “Kapag may sapat na kita ang mga magsasaka at mangingisda, dadami ang supply sa merkado, bababa ang presyo ng pagkain, na magpapagaan sa pasanin ng ating mga kababayan,” he added. Notwithstanding the slowdown of the country’s overall inflation in August 2024 at 3.3% from 4.4% the previous month, Lee underscored that efforts must be tripled to address the constant challenge of high food prices being the main driver of inflation. “It is time we put an end to the suffering of our farmers and fisherfolk. Their hard work feeds the nation, and we owe them the protection of their livelihood which will significantly propel our economy. Sa suporta sa agrikultura, panalo ang masa!” Lee remarked. “Pagpapanagot sa agri-smugglers, hoarders, price manipulators, kartel at mga kasabwat sa gobyerno, gawin na natin! Murang pagkain, gawin na natin! Laban nating lahat ito,” 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

Real Freedom Is Freedom From High Food Prices, Defending What Is Ours – Lee

Real Freedom Is Freedom From High Food Prices, Defending What Is Ours – Lee AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee on Wednesday said that real freedom lies on the ability to buy food at lower prices and maximize our country’s natural resources for the benefit of Filipinos.  Attending the 126th Independence Day Celebration in Cebu City, Lee stressed that “while we celebrate the triumph forged by our heroes who fought and liberated us from foreign invaders, we must free Filipinos from perennial problems and sufferings.” “Sana nga po dumating ang araw na maranasan ng bawat Pilipino ang tunay na kalayaan,” the Bicolao lawmaker said.  “Kalayaan mula sa labis na hirap ng buhay. Kalayaan mula sa sobrang taas na presyo ng pagkain at bilihin. Kalayaan mula sa takot o pangamba na may magkasakit sa pamilya dahil walang pambili ng gamot o pambayad sa ospital. Kalayaan mula sa mga kurakot kaya hindi nabibigay sa Pilipino ang dapat para sa Pilipino. Kalayaan mula sa kawalan ng hustisya, sa hindi pantay na trato o turing sa mayaman at sa mahirap.”  “Ito po ang tunay na kalayaan. Pwede kumain nang sapat. Pwede magkasakit na hindi mababaon sa utang o malulugmok sa kahirapan ang pamilya. Pwede asahan ang gobyerno na hindi pababayaan ang taumbayan,” he added.  Aside from supporting our “food security soldiers” to address inflation, Lee underscored the importance of protecting and maximizing our natural resources especially amid reports of new artificial islands being built by Vietnam at the Spratly Islands and China’s recurring aggressions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).   “Kung agrisibo ang ibang bansa, dapat mas agrisibo tayo sa pag-develop at pagtatanggol ng ating teritoryo, para sa kapakinabangan ng ating local food producers at consumers,” he said.  “We need to step up our game and defend what is ours. Let us prioritize the development of our natural resources to increase our fishery output, address our energy problem and provide more jobs to many Filipinos,” the solon from Bicol added.  Lee is the principal author of House Bill No. 9011 or the “Fishing Shelters and Ports Act” which aims to establish fishing shelters and ports in nine occupied maritime features in the WPS and Philippine Rise.  Under the said measure, the fishing shelters and ports shall be established in the islands of Lawak, Kota, Likas, Pag-asa, Parola, Panata, Patag, Rizal Reef and Ayungin Shoal.  “Huwag nating hayaan na magising na naman tayo isang araw na nakamkam na ng dayuhan ang ating mga teritoryo at likas na yaman. This poses a threat not only to Filipino livelihoods but also to Filipino lives. With less food production, consumers bear the brunt of high prices of goods,” the lawmaker pointed out. With an optimistic note, Lee challenged Filipinos that this year’s Independence Day is “a reminder to all of us of what we truly deserve.”  “We deserve better so we should demand better. As we rekindle the spirit of what our heroes fought for over a century ago, let us be firm to fight for a just, inclusive, and compassionate society,” he said.  “Ang tunay na malayang bansa ay isang bansa na may malasakit, kumakalinga at pinoprotekhan ang taumbayan; isang bansa kung saan Winner Tayo Lahat!” 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

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