AGRI PARTY-LIST

Filipino Farmers

Manoy Wilbert Lee emphasizes food security as a national security priority.

AGRI TO DA: FAST-TRACK BUILDING P3-B WORTH OF COLD STORAGES, IMPLEMENT COMPREHENSIVE SUPPLY MONITORING TO AVOID PRICE SURGE

2025 News, Advocacy / By

AGRI TO DA: FAST-TRACK BUILDING P3-B WORTH OF COLD STORAGES, IMPLEMENT COMPREHENSIVE SUPPLY MONITORING TO AVOID PRICE SURGE AGRI Party-list and Senatorial aspirant Manoy Wilbert Lee welcomed the initiative of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to construct around 99 cold storage facilities for fruits and vegetables nationwide with a total budget of P3 billion, as he renewed his call to implement a more comprehensive supply monitoring of agricultural products to avoid price surge. “Maganda ang inisyatibang ito ng DA, lalo pa’t matagal na natin itong panawagan. Bukod sa pangangalampag natin sa mga nakaraang budget deliberations na taasan o ipantay ang pondong inilalaan sa post-harvest facilities kabilang ang cold storages sa pre-harvest services, naghain din tayo ng panukalang batas para dagdagan ang suporta sa mga pasilidad na siguradong magpapataas sa kita ng mga magsasaka at local food producers,” AGRI Party-list said. “Malinaw din na mababalewala lang ang mga itatayong cold storages kung walang mahigpit at epektibong monitoring sa supply, at kung hindi pa rin masasampolan ang mga hoarders na walang konsensyang nagpapataas sa presyo ng bilihin, habang nagpapakasasa sa sobrang kita,” it added.  AGRI Party-list, principal author of Republic Act No. 12022 or the “Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Law”, has been consistently pushing for legislative measures that will reduce the prices of food by providing additional support for the agricultural sector and protecting the livelihood of local food producers. Under its House Bill No. 3958 or the “Post-Harvest Facilities Support Act”, the DA, in cooperation with various government agencies including the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), shall provide farm equipment and machinery such as cold storages, dryers, threshers, and transport facilities to farmer cooperatives. Earlier, in connection with the looming declaration of Food Security Emergency in the country, AGRI stressed the importance of sufficient support for farmers saying, “Sang-ayon po tayo sa pagdedeklara ng food security emergency para mapagaan ang pasanin ng ating mga kababayan, pero naniniwala tayo na panandaliang solusyon lang ito.” “Bukod sa short-term solutions, dapat simulan na ang pagpapatupad ng long-term solutions para maging kumpleto ang suporta sa mga local food producers, at hindi na kailanganin pang magdeklara ng food security emergency sa hinaharap,” AGRI stated. “Food security is a national security issue. Dapat gawing prayoridad ang pangangalaga at suporta sa ating mga local food producers o ‘food security soldiers’ dahil nakasalalay sa kanila ang sapat na supply at murang pagkain. Dapat buhusan at paglaanan ito ng tiyak na pondo taon-taon, at siguruhin ang mabilis na implementasyon ng mga programa para maramdaman agad ng mga Pilipino ang benepisyong hatid nito,” it added. Previous Activities Share the News! Previous Post Latest Posts​ 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 17 Jan 2025 Murang Pagkain: Strengthening Food Security Through Better Logistics Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities 2024

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

Cong. Wilbert Lee: Supporting Farmers is Best Solution to Curb Inflation

2024 News, Support / By

Cong. Wilbert Lee: Supporting Farmers is Best Solution to Curb Inflation Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” Lee is urging the government to strengthen support for farmers as a sustainable solution to high inflation, especially with food prices contributing significantly to inflation rates. At a recent Kapihan sa QC forum, Lee emphasized the risks of relying solely on imported goods to address price hikes. “Ang ating mga magsasaka ang dapat laging isaalang-alang sa bawat polisiya,” he shared, noting that imported products could undermine local farmers’ livelihoods if unchecked. Lee has been a consistent advocate for Filipino farmers, proposing measures that ensure they receive fair compensation and support. His Cheaper Rice Act would mandate higher purchase prices for local palay, helping farmers stay competitive amid the influx of imported rice. Additionally, Lee has introduced bills to strengthen post-harvest facilities and market access for farmers, giving them the tools to enhance productivity and lower production costs. The solon highlighted that local farmers deserve better and that giving them support will benefit all Filipinos. As more farmers are encouraged to grow their businesses, food production will increase, which will ultimately lower prices in the market. “Kapag mas malaki ang kita ng ating mga magsasaka, tataas ang produksyon, dadami ang supply, at bababa ang presyo sa merkado,” Lee stated, believing that empowering farmers is the best way to safeguard the nation against inflation. #EmpowerFarmers #FoodSecurityPH #AGRIForThePeople Previous Activities Share the News! Previous Post Latest Posts​ 06 Nov 2024 Cong. Wilbert Lee: Supporting Farmers is Best Solution to Curb Inflation 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 Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities 2024