Grace Poe wants free lunch for students, more funds for agri sector

To end hunger in the Philippines, Sen. Grace Poe plans to give free lunches to students and pour more budget to the agriculture sector, particularly in rice and coconut farming.

During the first PiliPinas Debates in Cagayan de Oro City, Poe vowed to offer a "new perspective" ("bagong perspektibo") in governance that would help the 2.6 million families surveyed to be experiencing involuntary hunger.

"Dapat magkaroon ng libreng pananghalian sa ating mga public schools dahil iyan ay deretso sa tiyan ng mga bata. Hindi sila matututo at hindi tatalino kung sila ay nagugutom," said Poe.

Poe also lamented how rice farmers themselves have to buy rice for their family from the market.

"Tamang subsidiya at least sa paumpisa man lang, sa irigasyon at iba pa, para naman maging mas competitive sila," said Poe.

Being the fifth largest producer of coconuts, the Philippines also has to focus on coconut replanting, said Poe.

She added that the P70 billion in coconut funds should be used for the farmers' benefits, especially for handing out scholarships to their children.

Poe said local farmers should not be neglected even if the government decides to source food from other countries.

"Habang may nagugutom sa bansa, hindi natin puwede sabihin na naging matagumpay ang ekonomiya," said Poe.

During her rebuttal of Poe, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago said promises are "very easy to make" but said no president in Philippine history has ever abolished or reduced poverty incidence in the country.

"Pangako nang pangako. Saan kukunin ang lahat ng pera na gagastusin nila?" asked Santiago.

In response, Poe said: "Kaya siguro napapanahon na ng mga bagong perspektibo. Marami nang namuno bilang president, pero hindi na nag-iisip ng ibang paraan." —KG, GMA News