AGRI PARTY-LIST

Rural Livelihoods

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

Murang Pagkain, ‘wag hulihin!AGRI PL to DOTr: OPEN EDSA BUSWAY FOR AGRI, FOOD DELIVERY VEHICLES AT NIGHT

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Murang Pagkain, ‘wag hulihin! AGRI PL to DOTr: OPEN EDSA BUSWAY FOR AGRI, FOOD DELIVERY VEHICLES AT NIGHT AGRI Party-list Representative and Senatorial Aspirant Manoy Wilbert Lee has filed a measure urging the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to open and expand the EDSA busway during night hours for the use of agricultural and food delivery vehicles, to facilitate the efficient transport of essential supplies, promote food security and lower prices. AGRI Party-list pointed out that the transport of agricultural goods faces several challenges, particularly in Metro Manila, where traffic congestion hampers the timely arrival of perishable goods, leading to food wastage and increased costs for both suppliers and consumers. In filing House Resolution No. 2162, AGRI seeks to accommodate agricultural and food delivery vehicles, particularly those transporting perishable goods, from 10PM to 5AM, including Sundays and holidays, as a means of ensuring the prompt and efficient movement of essential food supplies into Metro Manila. “Through this, we can ensure the timely transport of fresh produce, meats, dairy, and other essential food items to Metro Manila and neighboring areas, which will help lower food prices and achieve food security,” AGRI said. According to the Resolution, such arrangements can be developed into a formal policy to ensure that all necessary measures are in place to regulate the entry of agricultural and food delivery vehicles and avoid potential disruptions to the primary function of the busway, including the proper coordination with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). “DOTr must facilitate consultations with agricultural and food industry stakeholders to further optimize the logistics of food supply chains and address issues related to food distribution within the National Capital Region. Gusto nating maipatupad ito para makatulong, at hindi maging dagdag na abala o pabigat sa lahat ng ating mga kababayan,” AGRI said. “Bukod sa dagdag na suporta sa ating mga magsasaka, mangingisda, at local food producers, kailangan nating maglatag at magpatupad ng mga hakbang para masiguro ang mabilis na biyahe ng produkto patungong merkado, na magpapababa sa presyo ng pagkain,” it added. AGRI Party-list also reiterated its advocacy for cheaper prices of food for the benefit of Filipinos saying, “Napakahalaga na mapagaan ang pasanin ng ating mga kababayan sa pamamagitan ng murang pagkain na maihahain sa kani-kanilang hapag-kainan, kaya lahat ng rason kung bakit nagmamahal ang mga ito ay dapat solusyunan agad.” AGRI Party-list has been consistently pushing for legislative measures that will reduce the prices of food in the market by providing additional support for the agricultural sector and protecting the livelihood of local food producers. AGRI recently filed House Resolution No. 2158 to investigate the sudden and drastic increase in the retail price of tomatoes, and determine the role of price manipulators, hoarders and cartels in the possible “artificial tomato crisis” causing the price hike. “Ang paniwala natin: Sa suporta sa agrikultura, panalo ang masa. Dapat nang mawala sa eksena at panagutin ang mga demonyo at kriminal na kumikitil sa ating ekonomiya, lalo na sa kabuhayan ng mga kababayan nating buong buhay na nagsisikap para sa pamilya at para may makain ang buong bansa,” AGRI stated. “Tungkulin ng gobyernong tiyakin na may sapat na proteksyon sa hanapbuhay ang ating mga magsasaka, mangingisda, at local food producers na itinuturing nating “food security soldiers” para mapataas ang lokal na produksyon, dumami ang supply sa merkado, at mapababa ang presyo ng pagkain at bilihin. Murang pagkain, gawin na natin!” it added. Previous Activities Share the News! Previous Post Latest Posts​ 15 Jan 2025 Murang Pagkain, 'wag hulihin!AGRI PL to DOTr: OPEN EDSA BUSWAY FOR AGRI, FOOD DELIVERY VEHICLES AT NIGHT 06 Jan 2025 Dagdagan, hindi pabayaan!AGRI SEEKS PROBE ON THE CLOSURE OF SMALL-SCALE RICE, CORN MILLS IN 1K BARANGAYS 13 Dec 2024 AGRI Party-list Advocates for Full Protection of Agriculture Budget in 2025 Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities 2024

AGRI Party-list Advocates for Full Protection of Agriculture Budget in 2025

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AGRI Party-list Advocates for Full Protection of Agriculture Budget in 2025 The AGRI Party-list is rallying lawmakers in the Senate and House of Representatives to safeguard the agriculture sector’s budget as the Bicameral Conference Committee prepares to finalize the 2025 General Appropriations Bill. With the nation’s food security and rural livelihoods on the line, AGRI Party-list Representative and Senatorial Aspirant Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee emphasized the critical importance of maintaining sufficient funding for agriculture.“Cutting the budget for agriculture at this critical time would severely undermine our ability to achieve food security and support millions of farmers, fisherfolk, and local food producers. These are the ‘food security soldiers’ who sustain our nation’s food supply, and they deserve more, not less, support from the government,” Lee said. He stressed that investing in agriculture is essential not only for economic recovery but also for long-term national stability. The Bicameral Conference Committee, tasked with reconciling Senate and House versions of the ₱6.352-trillion National Budget, will convene next week. AGRI Party-list expressed concerns over the possible reduction in allocations for agriculture, highlighting the severe consequences of underfunding in the face of rising global food prices and intensifying climate change.“Reducing the agriculture budget is a step backward,” AGRI said in a statement. “This is not just about farmers; this is about safeguarding the country’s food supply from external shocks and ensuring the resilience of our local food systems. Cutting corners in agriculture funding could leave millions vulnerable to food insecurity.”#SupportOurFarmers #FoodSecurityPH #WiseLeadership 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

Lee Awaits Signing Of Economic Sabotage Law Amid Surge In Agricultural Smuggling

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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 To DA: Invest In Research On Climate-Resilient Crop Varieties

Legislation / By

Lee To DA: Invest In Research On Climate-Resilient Crop Varieties AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) to focus on the development of climate-resilient varieties of major crops to mitigate the impact of future occurrences of the El Niño phenomenon. This, as the DA announced that agricultural damage caused by the intensifying El Niño has already reached ₱1.75 billion, covering more than 32,000 hectares of farm lands and displacing almost 30,000 farmers. “Panahon na upang pagtuunan natin ng pansin ang pagdevelop ng climate-resilient na palay at mais para maibsan ang epekto ng El Niño sa hinaharap,” Lee said. “Mayroon nang mga naunang pag-aaral ang IRRI (International Rice Research Institute) sa climate-resilient rice na kayang magtolerate sa extreme climate conditions. We just need to adopt and build on this technology in order for our farmers to benefit from it,” he added. The IRRI has developed drought-tolerant rice varieties which have been released in several countries including Sahbhagi Dhan in India, the Sahod Ulan in the Philippines, and the Sookha Dhan varieties in Nepal. The IRRI is also currently studying flood-tolerant rice varieties which have been released and are now being planted in various areas including Swarna Sub1 in India, Samba Mahsuri in Bangladesh, and IR64-Sub1 in the Philippines. “Mayroon ding pag-aaral ang United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) tungkol naman sa drought-tolerant (DT) corn. I suggest we propose a knowledge exchange of sorts para mapakinabangan nila ang pag-aaral natin sa palay at makuha naman natin ang teknolohiya nila sa mais,” the Bicolano lawmaker said. DT corn varieties became available to US farmers between 2011 and 2013 after decades of research on drought tolerance by crop breeders and plant scientists. “We need to utilize and maximize all available agricultural technologies so as to make our farmers—our food security soldiers—more resilient to climate change,” the solon said. “Kapag hindi na apektado ang ating mga magsasaka sa pagbabago ng klima, tataas ang produksyon at kita nila, at bawas pangamba naman sa ibang mga pangangailangan tulad ng gastos sa pagkakasakit o pagpapa-ospital.” “Ang dulo nito, makakatulong ang climate resilient crop varieties sa pagkamit ng food security. At kapag natiyak natin ang food security, siguradong Winner Tayo Lahat ,” he added. The DA earlier announced that eight regions in the Philippines were most affected by the El Niño: Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Soccsksargen. Most affected was Mimaropa, which incurred P770 million damage to agriculture, followed by Western Visayas with ₱560 million; Cagayan Valley, ₱180 million; Central Luzon, ₱158 million; Ilocos, ₱54 million; Zamboanga peninsula, ₱13 million; Calabarzon, ₱7 million, and Soccsksargen, ₱2 million.  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