AGRI PARTY-LIST

Farmer Empowerment

Cheaper Rice now! Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. 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

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

Lee Welcomes NFA’s Higher Palay Buying Price, Bats For Cheaper Rice Act

Lee Welcomes NFA’s Higher Palay Buying Price, Bats For Cheaper Rice Act AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee lauded the recent approval of the National Food Authority (NFA) Council to buy local palay for a higher price to beef up the country’s rice buffer stock. According to the NFA Council, the approved increase in the procurement price of rice will give them flexibility to compete with private traders and help rice farmers boost their income. The NFA buying price now for dry and clean local palay is P23 to P30 per kilo from the previous P19 to P23 per kilo, while wet and fresh palay will be purchased at P17 to P23 a kilo from P16 to P19 per kilo. “The administration’s measure to boost the country’s rice buffer stock by buying local palay at a higher price is what the farmers—our food security soldiers—need now more than ever as they struggle with the effects of El Niño and low income. Spending more to boost their productivity is the right way to go,” Lee said. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. underscored the importance of increasing the buying price for palay, saying “we need to ensure that our farmers make money to encourage them to continue planting and even expand the area planted to rice.” The Bicolano lawmaker then reiterated his call for the urgent passage of his proposed House Bill No. 9020 or the “Cheaper Rice Act” which will institutionalize the “price subsidy” program for the government to buy palay from local farmers at a higher price to ensure their profit and entice them to boost their production. “Sa panukala nating Cheaper Rice Act, isasabatas na natin ang dagdag o patong na P5 to P10 sa prevailing farmgate price per kilo ng palay na bibilhin ng gobyerno sa mga lokal na magsasaka para siguradong kikita sila. Kapag may kita, magpupursige silang taasan ang kanilang produksyon. Kapag dumami ang supply ng bigas, bababa rin ang presyo sa merkado, na aambag din sa pagkamit ng food security sa bansa,” explained Lee. “Kung gusto nating maabot ang P20/kilo ng bigas, dapat gawing priority measure ang panukala nating ito nang maisabatas na sa lalong madaling panahon,” the solon earlier said. Lee added that this legislation will also address the concerns that farmers are forced to sell their land because they are not earning. “Kung may kita, wala po sigurong magsasaka na makakaisip na ibenta ang kanilang lupang sinasaka. Mahihikayat din ang kanilang mga anak at ang kabataan na pasukin ang pagsasaka,” he stressed. “Through this measure, the country will have sufficient supply of rice and we will not rely solely on imports,” Lee further stressed referring to the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) projected rice importation by the Philippines at 3.9 million metric tons (MT) this year, following “strong recent purchases from Vietnam.” “Sa Cheaper Rice Act, hindi na agrabyado ang ating mga magsasaka sa pagbebenta ng palay sa presyong binabarat sila. Panalo din ang consumer sa idudulot nitong mas mababang presyo ng bigas. Sa dulo, bawas pangamba ito sa bawat Pilipino na kakapusin ang kanilang budget sa iba pang pangangailangan, lalo na kung may magkasakit sa pamilya, kaya Winner Tayo Lahat,” Lee said. 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