AGRI PARTY-LIST

Wise Lee

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

AGRI PL CALLS TO FAST-TRACK EXPANSION OF CROP INSURANCE COVERAGE

2024, Support / By

AGRI PL CALLS TO FAST-TRACK EXPANSION OF CROP INSURANCE COVERAGE With succeeding typhoons hitting the country, AGRI Party-list has urged the immediate enactment of a measure. This measure would expand crop insurance coverage to protect farmers’ livelihoods. Every time a calamity hits, they lose their hard-earned crops. AGRI is the principal author of House Bill (HB) No. 7387. The bill seeks to expand the services of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) and encourage private sector participation in agricultural insurance. HB 7387 was approved by the House of Representatives on third and final reading in March 2023. It is now pending in the Senate. “Nananawagan tayo sa mga kapwa natin mambabatas sa Senado na agarang maisabatas ang panukalang ito,” said AGRI Party-list Representative and Senatorial Aspirant Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee. “Kulang na kulang sa proteksyon sa kabuhayan ang ating mga magsasaka. Alam naman po natin na tuwing may kalamidad, walang natitira sa kanila maliban sa utang at pangamba na lalong malubog sa kahirapan.” Under the measure, the PCIC would provide insurance coverage for all agricultural commodities. This expands coverage, which is currently limited to palay crops. Additionally, the proposed measure would also include other non-crop agricultural assets. These include livestock, aquaculture, fishery, agroforestry, forest plantations, machinery, equipment, transport facilities, and related infrastructures. “Bilang mga itinuturing natin na ‘food security soldiers,’ deserve ng ating mga magsasaka ang suporta ng gobyerno upang siguruhin ang kanilang kita,” the AGRI Party-list said. “Nararapat lamang na pagaanin ang pasanin ng pinagmumulan ng mismong mga kinakain natin!” AGRI also called on the PCIC to intensify its information campaign. The aim is to encourage more farmers to enroll in crop insurance. Moreover, AGRI urged the PCIC to be more proactive. It suggested deploying mobile offices to areas most affected by recent typhoons. “Imbes na maghintay sa mga opisina, kailangan ang gobyerno mismo ang gumawa ng paraan para ilapit ang mga serbisyo at benepisyo para sa ating mga magsasaka,” the party-list stressed. “Hindi na dapat pahirapan ang mga nasalanta nating kababayan o kaya naman ay parang sila pa ang nakikiusap o nagmamakaawa na sila ay tulungan.” AGRI Party-list also emphasized the importance of expanding insurance coverage beyond financial relief. In addition, this would contribute to achieving food security. “Ang pinakamabisang paraan para makamit ang murang pagkain at seguridad sa pagkain ay dagdag na suporta sa agrikultura,” AGRI stated. “Kapag naprotektahan ang kabuhayan ng ating mga magsasaka at mga local food producers at natiyak ang kanilang kita, magsisilbi itong insentibo para pataasin ang kanilang produksyon,” AGRI added. As a result, this would increase supply in the market. Thus, food prices and other commodities would decrease. This would benefit the Filipino people! Previous Activities Share the News! Previous PostNext 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: “Ang pinakamabisang solusyon sa inflation ay pagtulong sa mga magsasaka”

2024, Support / By

Cong. Wilbert Lee: “Ang pinakamabisang solusyon sa inflation ay pagtulong sa mga magsasaka” Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee continues to be a vocal supporter of agricultural investment as a solution to rising inflation. In the upcoming 2025 budget deliberations, Lee is committed to amending the National Expenditure Program (NEP) to secure additional funds for the agriculture sector, which has been reduced to P211 billion in the current proposal. He argued that supporting agriculture is the “best defense” against inflation by stabilizing local food prices and reducing dependency on imports. Lee’s vision includes meaningful spending to ensure government assistance for agriculture spanning the entire value chain—from planting to harvesting to distribution. His advocacy for the digitization of the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) further underscores his commitment to streamlining assistance to farmers, ensuring they receive timely support. Lee emphasized, “Kapag nag-invest tayo sa agrikultura at sinuportahan ang mga magsasaka, tataas ang kanilang produksyon, bababa ang presyo ng pagkain. Panalo ang masa!” Through his initiatives like the Post-Harvest Facilities Support Act and the Kadiwa Agri-Food Terminal Act, Lee is actively working to secure resources that will directly benefit the agriculture sector. His dedication to the cause reflects his belief in empowering the nation’s “food security soldiers” to help alleviate the economic burden on Filipino families and secure the country’s food future. #SupportOurFarmers #InflationSolutionsPH #WilbertLeeForAGRI Previous Activities Share the News! Previous Post Latest Posts​ 04 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 30 Oct 2024 Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee Demands Action on Coconut Farmers’ Health Benefits Amid Delays Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities 2024

Cong. Wilbert Lee Champions Bigger Budget for Agriculture in 2025

2024, Advocacy / By

Cong. Wilbert Lee Champions Bigger Budget for Agriculture in 2025 Determined to strengthen the country’s agriculture sector, Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee pushes for a substantial budget increase.  Lee highlighted the pressing need for more funds to support food security, especially in light of climate challenges like El Niño and the anticipated La Niña phenomenon. He stressed the urgency, stating, “Ito ang dapat na prayoridad at dagdagan ng suporta ng gobyerno,” emphasizing that government investments should prioritize food sufficiency and sustainable agriculture practices. The proposed P211 billion agriculture budget, down from last year’s P221.7 billion, marks a significant reduction, which Lee views as a hindrance to achieving the nation’s food security goals. Notably, the Department of Agriculture (DA) had originally projected a P513 billion requirement to fund agricultural modernization and anti-smuggling efforts. Lee supports the DA’s initial target, believing it reflects the sector’s true needs, especially for modernization initiatives that increase productivity and curb food inflation. A staunch advocate for modernization, Lee has continuously urged PhilMech to maximize their funds for farm equipment and post-harvest facilities, which are crucial for supporting agricultural productivity. Through his legislative efforts, including House Bill No. 3958 for post-harvest facilities and House Bill No. 3957 for Kadiwa agri-food terminals, Lee aims to build stronger market linkages for farmers and fisherfolk, ultimately leading to affordable food prices and economic stability for millions of Filipinos. #AGRIForProgress #WilbertLeeAdvocacy #FoodSecurityPH Previous Activities Share the News! Previous Post Latest Posts​ 31 Oct 2024 Cong. Wilbert Lee Champions Bigger Budget for Agriculture in 2025 30 Oct 2024 Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee Demands Action on Coconut Farmers’ Health Benefits Amid Delays 29 Oct 2024 Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee Urges PhilHealth, PCA to Fulfill Commitments to Coconut Farmers’ Health Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities 2024

Cong. Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee Calls on PhilHealth, PCA to Deliver Health Benefits for Coconut Farmers

2024, Legislation / By

Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee Calls on PhilHealth, PCA to Deliver Health Benefits for Coconut Farmers In light of delays, Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee has urged PhilHealth and PCA to expedite long-overdue health benefits for coconut farmers as mandated by the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund (CFITF) Act. Lee highlighted the urgent need to address healthcare needs in the coconut industry, stressing that health support for farmers is essential for the industry’s progress.. “Dapat agaran nang maipatupad ang mga benepisyong pangkalusugan para sa mga magniniyog na matagal na dapat naipagkaloob,” Lee stated. #SupportCoconutFarmers #WilbertLeeForHealthcare #PhilHealthBenefits #AGRIForThePeople Previous Activities Share the News! Previous Post Latest Posts​ 28 Oct 2024 Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee Calls on PhilHealth, PCA to Deliver Health Benefits for Coconut Farmers 25 Oct 2024 AGRI Party-list Ranks 8th in Tangere Poll for 2025 Elections,  Vows to Continue Advocacy for Farmers 24 Oct 2024 GRI Party-list Ranks Among Top Choices for 2025 Midterm Elections, Says Tangere Survey Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities 2024

Cong. Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee: Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Law Will Jail Smugglers, End Market Abuse

Activities, Support / By

Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee: Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Law Will Jail Smugglers, End Market Abuse With the recent enactment of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee called for holding agricultural smugglers and hoarders who continue to wreak havoc on food prices accountable. Lee emphasized that the law will also penalize any public officials protecting large-scale smuggling operations. “Dapat panagutin ang mga kumikitil sa hanapbuhay ng ating local food producers na apektado ang consumers. Sapat na kita at proteksyon sa local food producers at consumers, gawin na natin,” Lee said, highlighting the urgent need to safeguard the livelihood of farmers and ensure affordable food for all Filipinos. #AntiSmugglingLaw #WilbertLeeForFarmers #EndMarketAbuse #ProtectFoodSecurity Previous Activities Share the News! Previous Post Latest Posts​ 16 Oct 2024 Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee: Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Law Will Jail Smugglers, End Market Abuse 15 Oct 2024 Stabilizing Food Prices: Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee Says Anti-Agri Smuggling Law Will Protect Farmers and Consumers 09 Oct 2024 Cheaper Rice now! Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee Calls for Efficient Supply Chain to Stabilize Rice Costs​ Categories Activities Advocacy Legislation Support Previous Activities