AGRI PARTY-LIST

DTI

Cold storage facility for agricultural products, backed by Manoy Wilbert Lee’s P3B initiative.

Manoy Wilbert Lee Urges DA to Fast-Track Implementation of P3-B Cold Storage Facilities and Strengthen Supply Monitoring

Manoy Wilbert Lee Pushes for P3-B Cold Storage Facilities and Long-Term Food Security Solutions The Department of Agriculture (DA) has announced the construction of 99 cold storage facilities nationwide with a P3 billion budget. Manoy Wilbert Lee, AGRI Party-list Representative and Senatorial aspirant, welcomed this move but stressed that supply monitoring and anti-hoarding measures are essential for real impact. Manoy Wilbert Lee: Cold Storage is Only Part of the Solution According to Manoy Wilbert Lee, the lack of cold storage facilities has long been a challenge for local farmers. “This is a great initiative, but it must go hand-in-hand with strict supply monitoring. If hoarders and price manipulators continue unchecked, these facilities will not prevent food price surges,” he warned. Post-Harvest Support Act: Expanding Agricultural Infrastructure Through House Bill No. 3958, also known as the Post-Harvest Facilities Support Act, the DA, together with DPWH, DAR, and DTI, will provide cold storage, dryers, threshers, and transport equipment to farmer cooperatives. This initiative aligns with Manoy Wilbert Lee’s long-term vision for a stronger agricultural sector, reducing post-harvest losses and ensuring better income for local food producers. Preventing Food Hoarding and Price Manipulation Manoy Wilbert Lee has been vocal against hoarders and agricultural economic saboteurs who manipulate food prices for profit. “The Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Law is in place, but we need to enforce it effectively. Supply monitoring should be strict to prevent artificial food shortages and keep prices stable,” he emphasized. Food Security Emergency: Temporary Solution vs. Long-Term Strategy With growing concerns over food supply, Manoy Wilbert Lee acknowledged that the Food Security Emergency could provide short-term relief but stressed the importance of a sustainable strategy. “Declaring a Food Security Emergency may help temporarily, but consistent support for local food producers is the real solution to ensuring affordable and stable food supply for all Filipinos,” he said. Investing in Farmers is Investing in National Security Manoy Wilbert Lee firmly believes that food security is a national security issue. He calls on the government to prioritize funding for farmers and local food producers, emphasizing that they are the key to long-term agricultural stability. “With proper investment in post-harvest facilities, supply monitoring, and agricultural policies, we can protect Filipino consumers from high food prices while ensuring farmers earn fair income,” he concluded. #ManoyWilbertLee #AGRIPartylist #ColdStorage #FoodSecurity #FoodAffordability #FarmersSupport Previous Activities Share the News! Previous Post Latest Posts​ 06 Feb 2025 Manoy Wilbert Lee Urges DA to Fast-Track Implementation of P3-B Cold Storage Facilities and Strengthen Supply Monitoring 29 Jan 2025 Manoy Wilbert Lee Urges DA to Fast-Track Implementation of P3-B Cold Storage Facilities and Strengthen Supply Monitoring 27 Jan 2025 AGRI TO DA: FAST-TRACK BUILDING P3-B WORTH OF COLD STORAGES, IMPLEMENT COMPREHENSIVE SUPPLY MONITORING TO AVOID PRICE SURGE Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities 2024

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

Manoy Wilbert Lee Urges DA to Fast-Track Implementation of P3-B Cold Storage Facilities and Strengthen Supply Monitoring

Manoy Wilbert Lee Urges DA to Fast-Track Implementation of P3-B Cold Storage Facilities and Strengthen Supply Monitoring AGRI Party-list Representative and Senatorial aspirant Manoy Wilbert Lee welcomed the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) initiative to allocate P3 billion for the construction of 99 cold storage facilities across the country. However, he underscored the need for comprehensive supply monitoring to prevent price surges in agricultural products. Manoy Wilbert Lee Calls for Enhanced Post-Harvest Facilities “For years, we have pushed for increased funding for post-harvest facilities, particularly cold storage units, to match pre-harvest services. This initiative is long overdue,” said Manoy Wilbert Lee. Aside from advocating for larger budget allocations during budget deliberations, AGRI Party-list has proposed legislation to boost support for cold storage facilities, dryers, threshers, and transport equipment—all crucial for improving farmers’ income and stabilizing food prices. Strict Supply Monitoring to Prevent Hoarding and Price Manipulation Despite the promising development, Manoy Wilbert Lee emphasized that these efforts would be ineffective without a strict and efficient monitoring system. “These cold storage units will have little impact if there is no effective supply monitoring system in place. Hoarders and price manipulators continue to exploit agricultural supply gaps, driving food prices up while Filipinos struggle with affordability,” he warned. Legislative Efforts to Strengthen Food Security As the principal author of Republic Act No. 12022, or the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Law, Manoy Wilbert Lee continues to push for reforms that will protect farmers and consumers from unfair trade practices. One of the key measures proposed is House Bill No. 3958, or the Post-Harvest Facilities Support Act, which mandates the DA—along with the DPWH, DAR, and DTI—to provide post-harvest equipment and storage facilities to farmer cooperatives. Food Security Emergency: A Short-Term Fix The looming Food Security Emergency has prompted discussions about short-term and long-term solutions for food affordability and supply stability. “We support the Food Security Emergency declaration, but it’s only a temporary fix. Long-term strategies are needed to ensure sustained support for Filipino farmers and local food producers,” Lee stressed. Food Security as National Security “Food security is a national security concern. Farmers are our ‘food security soldiers.’ We must prioritize funding, proper infrastructure, and immediate action to ensure a stable and affordable food supply for all Filipinos,” Manoy Wilbert Lee concluded. #ManoyWilbertLee #AGRIPartylist #SupportFarmers #FoodSecurity #ColdStorage #AgriculturalReform Previous Activities Share the News! Previous Post Latest Posts​ 06 Feb 2025 Manoy Wilbert Lee Urges DA to Fast-Track Implementation of P3-B Cold Storage Facilities and Strengthen Supply Monitoring 27 Jan 2025 AGRI TO DA: FAST-TRACK BUILDING P3-B WORTH OF COLD STORAGES, IMPLEMENT COMPREHENSIVE SUPPLY MONITORING TO AVOID PRICE SURGE 18 Jan 2025 Better Transport Policy for Murang Pagkain: AGRI Party-list’s Vision Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities 2024