AGRI PARTY-LIST

Food Affordability

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

Lee Lauds High RCEF Utilization, Asks PhilMech To Provide More Post-Harvest Equipment

Lee Lauds High RCEF Utilization, Asks PhilMech To Provide More Post-Harvest Equipment AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee lauded the high utilization rate of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund’s (RCEF) Mechanization Program. “Nakakatuwa na sa wakas ay nama-maximize na ang paggamit sa pondong para naman talaga sa ating mga magsasaka,” Lee said. The Bicolano lawmaker was reacting to the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization’s (PhilMech) report of a 91.6 percent delivery rate for the machines procured under the RCEF. “Ang pera ng taumbayan, dapat gamitin para sa kapakinabangan ng taumbayan. Kaya nagpapasalamat tayo sa pakikipagtulungan ng PhilMech, sa pamumuno ni Dir. Dionisio Alvindia, para pagaanin ang pasanin ng ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda na itinuturing nating food security soldiers,” Lee said. “Sa pag-iikot natin, itong farm equipment and mechanization ang talagang pinakahinihintay nila para mapataas ang kanilang produksyon at kita, na magagamit nila pantustos sa iba pa nilang mga bayarin, lalo na sa panahon ng emergency o pagkakasakit,” he added.   Data from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) revealed that the RCEF’s utilization in 2019 was a mere 36.54 percent. It improved to 86.45 percent in 2020, but slipped to 80 percent in 2021 and further declined to 76.16 percent in 2022. The PhilMech attributed the RCEF’s low utilization levels to delays in the initial disbursements. The agency said it has already obligated ₱24.9 billion for the procurement of agricultural equipment and has distributed 28,817 pieces of farm equipment including 14,713 land preparation machines; 4,284 crop establishment technologies; 8,210 harvesting and threshing equipment; 768 drying technologies, and 842 milling equipment. “Matagal na nating sinasabi na ang susi sa food security ng bansa at para maging Winner Tayo Lahat ay ang pagkakaroon ng mga karagdagang post-harvest facilities tulad ng cold storages, dryers, at transport facilities,” Lee stressed. “Bukod sa dagdagan, panawagan din natin sa PhilMech na pabilisin pa ang pamimigay ng post-harvest equipment. Dapat simplehan at iklian lang ang mga requirements na hinihingi ng gobyerno mula sa mga magsasaka at kooperatiba.” “Naghain din tayo ng House Resolution No. 1636 para tukuyin at suriin ang mga naging hamon at problema sa RCEF, at nang mas mapabuti pa ang implementasyon nito sa isusulong natin na pagpapalawig ng programa,” the solon added. The RCEF is a six-year allocation of ₱10 billion anually starting 2019, granted under Republic Act No. 11203 or the “Rice Tariffication Law.” It is meant to improve rice farmers’ competitiveness amid the liberalized rice trade policy. PhilMech is the implementing agency for the RCEF’s farm mechanization component. The program gets ₱5 billion of the annual RCEF.  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