DA chief seeking at least P30-B increase for 2022 budget

Agriculture Secretary William Dar is seeking at least P30 billion budget increase for the agency for fiscal year 2022.

During the budget deliberations on Wednesday, Magsasaka party-list Representative Argel Cabatbat asked Dar if he is happy with the budget being proposed for the Department of Agriculture.

The Department of Agriculture is proposed to have P91 billion for fiscal year 2022, which is way lower compared to the original proposal of P231.76 billion.

Cabatbat said he is not happy with the proposed budget for the agency.

"I think the good Secretary must be more honest because I am not happy with this budget. The national budget was increased by 11.5% so we should expect the same increase in the department. Comparing the 2021 GAA to the 2022 NEP, there is only an increase of 1.05%," the lawmaker said.

In response, Dar said: "Kung mamarapatin ng Kongreso, nasa level na P30 billion minimum sana na maidagdag." — RSJ, GMA News