AGRI PARTY-LIST

Food Systems

AGRI Party-list Warns of Long-Term Risks from Cuts to Agriculture Budget

AGRI Party-list Advocates for Full Protection of Agriculture Budget in 2025 The AGRI Party-list has issued a strong appeal to lawmakers in both chambers of Congress to ensure the agriculture sector’s budget remains protected as deliberations over the 2025 General Appropriations Bill move forward. According to AGRI Party-list Representative and Senatorial Aspirant Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee, insufficient funding for agriculture could lead to long-term challenges for food security and the livelihoods of millions of Filipinos.“Investing in agriculture isn’t just about immediate support; it’s about future-proofing our food systems against crises like rising global food prices and climate change. Our farmers, fisherfolk, and food producers play a vital role in our nation’s stability, and reducing their support at this time is unacceptable,” Lee said. AGRI highlighted that the Department of Agriculture’s proposed ₱500 billion budget was slashed to less than half, leaving critical issues such as low productivity, outdated infrastructure, and a lack of post-harvest facilities unaddressed. “Our current allocation falls far short of what’s needed to meet the demands of our local food producers,” the group stated, emphasizing the disparity between agriculture’s potential and its share in the national budget. The group called on the Bicameral Conference Committee to prioritize food security, pointing out that increased agricultural funding would benefit all Filipinos by stabilizing food prices and boosting supply. “This is not just about the farmers; it’s about every Filipino family that depends on affordable and accessible food,” AGRI stressed.#AgricultureBudget2025 #FoodSecurity #WiseMoves Advocacy 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. Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee Demands Swift Action to Clear Ports and Bring Down Skyrocketing Rice Prices

Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee Demands Swift Action to Clear Ports and Bring Down Skyrocketing Rice Prices Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee of Agri Party-List has called on the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to expedite the unloading of rice shipments currently stalled at the country’s ports. The lawmaker stressed that the delays caused by port congestion are worsening the price of rice, affecting millions of Filipino consumers. Speaking ahead of his keynote speech at the Visayas Public Transportation Modernization Program Forum in Bacolod, Lee highlighted the urgency of the issue, saying: “Nasa isa hanggang dalawang linggo na nakatengga ang mga kargamento ng bigas. Imbes na mailabas agad at mapababa ang presyo, lalo pa itong nagmamahal.” Lee has proposed increasing manpower at ports or implementing 24/7 operations to speed up the process and lower rice prices for consumers. #RiceCrisis #PortCongestion #PhilippinesFoodSecurity #WilbertLeeForThePeople #LowerRicePrices 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

Optimize PH Carabao Center To Boost Dairy Industry – Lee

Optimize PH Carabao Center To Boost Dairy Industry – Lee AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee on Wednesday said that optimizing the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) by increasing its budget and upgrading its research and innovation, will help revive the dairy industry post-El Niño.  This, after the National Dairy Authority (NDA) sought P2.5 billion budget to support the procurement of at least 5,000 imported cattle and setting up of laboratory facilities in its six regional offices to boost the country’s local milk production.  Lee, who just came recently from a 2-day visit in multiple towns and cities in Bulacan including San Jose del Monte, Sta. Maria, Bocaue, Pandi, Meycauayan, Guiguinto, Malolos, Plaridel and Calumpit, said, “We support the goal of the NDA to increase the dairy production and develop our local dairy industry. Kaya isinusulong rin natin na madagdagan ang budget ng mga ahensiya ng gobyerno na may kinalaman sa pagpapalago nito.”  The Bicolano lawmaker said aside from procuring cattle, research and development on carabaos also need to be boosted.  “Research and innovation on both cattle and carabaos are vital to ensuring the dairy industry continues to improve practices and minimize impacts of extreme weather conditions while improving milk production,” he said.  “Sa ngayon halos P89 million lang ang nakalaan para sa Research and Development ng National Carabao Development Program ng PCC at P274 million naman para sa kanilang Herd Build-up of Genetically-Improved Dairy Buffalos. Dapat madagdagan ang suporta natin dito, ” he added.  “Carabaos are hardy, low-maintenance animals. They can thrive on local grasses and do not need expensive feeds, making them well-suited for small-scale farmers. Apart from their agricultural use, carabaos also provide milk,” he further said.  The Herd Build-up program is set to bolster local dairy stocks and local milk production through a series of strategic initiatives. Additional funds will facilitate the procurement of new dairy buffalos, enhance local production at PCC-operated nucleus dairy buffalo farms and agistment farms. It will also provide essential breeding services to Farmers Cooperative and Associations (FCA) partners and dairy buffalo health and nutritional services. More funding will also help enhance and develop dairy buffalo farms and other dairy buffalo facilities of the PCC  According to  Dairy Confederation of the Philippines, there are currently 2.6 million cows in the country but only 27,000 are used for dairy. On the other hand, there are 2.8 million carabaos but only 19,000 are dairy types. “Mahalaga na sa pagbibigay ng dagdag na budget, may kongkretong plano, maayos na implementasyon at mga pasilidad. Halimbawa, we cannot afford to import cattles used for dairy without proper acclimatization facility, dahil kung wala nito, marami talagang mamamatay pagka-import. Hindi pwedeng ura-urada dahil para lang tayong nagtatapon ng pondo,” the solon from Bicol pointed out. “Napakalayo pa ng ating bansa sa pagkamit ng milk sufficiency. Kaya dapat maging kayod-kalabaw din ang gobyerno sa pagsuporta sa mga ahensya para mapaunlad ang local dairy industry at hindi tayo laging dependent sa importation. We deserve better and it is our right to demand better services and demand more opportunities in our country.”  “Winner Tayo Lahat sa pagpapaunlad sa bawat sektor at industriya na lumilikha ng tiyak at karagdagang trabaho, sa pagsusulong ng dagdag na kita, sapat, abot-kaya at masustansyang pagkain sa bawat pamilya, at pagkakaroon ng kapanatagan ng loob na magkasakit man, hindi malulubog sa hirap at utang dahil sa patas at mapagmalasakit na serbisyong pangkalusugan,” 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 To DA: Help Reduce Diabetes In PH By Mainstreaming Low-GI, High-Protein Rice

Lee To DA: Help Reduce Diabetes In PH By Mainstreaming Low-GI, High-Protein Rice AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) to partner with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to hasten the release of ultra-low glycemic index (GI) and protein-rich variety of rice to Filipino farmers. Lee said mainstreaming the production of this variety of rice would greatly aid in the reduction of diabetes mellitus cases in the country. “Hindi naman po kaila sa atin na ang Pilipinas ay isa sa mga nangungunang consumer ng bigas sa buong mundo. At dahil tila permanenteng parte na ng ating pagkain ang kanin, hindi maikakaila ang koneksyon nito sa dami ng may diabetes sa bansa,” he said. Based on the latest data from the International Diabetes Federation of which the Philippine College of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism is a member, out of a total adult population of 66,754,400 in the Philippines in 2021, there were a total of 4,303,899 cases of diabetes recorded, equivalent to 6.44 percent. Further, in 2023, deaths in the Philippines due to diabetes mellitus were recorded at 14,416 cases, or 6.2 percent share, making it the fourth leading cause of death in the country. The IRRI aims to introduce the ultra-low GI, high protein rice variety by 2025. The research institute said the multi-location trial for this has already been started in more than 10 provinces nationwide. Glycemic index is a ranking of carbohydrate-containing foods based on how slowly or quickly they are digested and increase blood glucose levels, with pure sugar having a score of 100. The IRRI said it expects more rice farmers to cultivate this variety once the trials determine the target market. According to IRRI scientists, the price of ultra-low GI, high protein rice will be the same as the normal rice available in the markets. According to Lee, the DA can certainly find ways to expedite and expand the trials, saying that “kapag napabilis natin ang pag-distribute ng variety ng bigas na ito sa ating mga magsasaka, mas mapapabilis din ang pagma-mainstream nito sa merkado. “ “Kapag mas may access at nagawa pa nating mas abot-kaya sa Pilipino ang ganitong klase ng bigas, mas marami ang matutulungan nating makaiwas o mabawasan ang alalahanin sa mga chronic disease tulad ng diabetes at kaugnay nitong mga sakit.” “Dahil sinasabi rin ng mga eksperto na mas mabilis tayong makakaramdam ng pagkabusog sa bigas na ito, mas kaunti rin ang ikokonsumo natin. Bawas na sa pangamba sa sakit, bawas pa sa gastos. Winner Tayo Lahat sa bagong uri at mas healthy na bigas na ito,” he added. Lee, a staunch health advocate, persistently pushed for the 30% increase in Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) benefits which took effect on February 14. The solon also urged PhilHealth to provide unlimited coverage for cancer treatment, heart bypass surgery, and other diagnostic tests and preventive measures, as well as the effective implementation of the No Balance Billing policy to lessen the out-of-pocket medical expenses of patients and their families. Advocacy 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 AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) to partner with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to hasten the release of ultra-low glycemic index (GI) and protein-rich variety of rice to Filipino farmers. Lee said mainstreaming the production of this variety of rice would greatly aid in the reduction of diabetes mellitus cases in the country. “Hindi naman po kaila sa atin na ang Pilipinas ay isa sa mga nangungunang consumer ng bigas sa buong mundo. At dahil tila permanenteng parte na ng ating pagkain ang kanin, hindi maikakaila ang koneksyon nito sa dami ng may diabetes sa bansa,” he said. Based on the latest data from the International Diabetes Federation of which the Philippine College of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism is a member, out of a total adult population of 66,754,400 in the Philippines in 2021, there were a total of 4,303,899 cases of diabetes recorded, equivalent to 6.44 percent. Further, in 2023, deaths in the Philippines due to diabetes mellitus were recorded at 14,416 cases, or 6.2 percent share, making it the fourth leading cause of death in the country. The IRRI aims to introduce the ultra-low GI, high protein rice variety by 2025. The research institute said the multi-location trial for this has already been started in more than 10 provinces nationwide. Glycemic index is a ranking of carbohydrate-containing foods based on how slowly or quickly they are digested and increase blood glucose levels, with pure sugar having a score of 100. The IRRI said it expects more rice farmers to cultivate this variety once the trials determine the target market. According to IRRI scientists, the price of ultra-low GI, high protein rice will be the same as the normal rice available in the markets. According to Lee, the DA can certainly find ways to expedite and expand the trials, saying that “kapag napabilis natin ang pag-distribute ng variety ng bigas na ito sa ating mga magsasaka, mas mapapabilis din ang pagma-mainstream nito sa merkado. “ “Kapag mas may access at nagawa pa nating mas abot-kaya sa Pilipino ang ganitong klase ng bigas, mas marami ang matutulungan nating makaiwas o mabawasan ang alalahanin sa mga chronic disease tulad ng diabetes at kaugnay nitong mga sakit.” “Dahil sinasabi rin ng mga eksperto na mas mabilis tayong makakaramdam ng pagkabusog sa bigas na ito, mas kaunti rin ang ikokonsumo natin. Bawas na sa pangamba sa sakit, bawas pa sa gastos. Winner Tayo Lahat sa bagong uri at mas healthy na bigas na ito,” he added. Lee, a staunch health advocate, persistently pushed for the 30% increase in Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) benefits