UniTeam senate bets Roque, Legarda vow to strengthen farmers, fisherfolk

Some senatorial candidates from the BBM-Sara UniTeam slate vowed to strengthen the country's agriculture sector should they win in Eleksyon 2022.

Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday promised to push for measures that will fight for the plight of Filipino rice farmers. He also vowed to protect them from the "disadvantageous" provisions of the Rice Tariffication Law.

Roque said he would look into the "graft-prone" provisions of the said law, which has liberalized the country’s rice trading, importation, and exportation.

“The government should investigate whether the ayuda [financial assistance] being provided to rice farmers is prone to corruption, and the collected tariff benefits them," Roque said in a press release.

Roque further expressed concern over complaints from several rice farmers that the buying price for palay would go as low as P12 per kilo since the Rice Tariffication Law was enacted in 2018.

“The agency can no longer buy rice at a certain price because imported rice is comparatively cheaper. Even if we factor in the 40 percent tariff," Roque said.

“The government must address this great disservice to rice farmers that support the country’s economic backbone, agriculture. Rather than merely increasing their subsidy, we must ensure a higher buying price for palay to protect their income and livelihood," he added.

Roque also said he would investigate the reported cartel on farm tractor dealerships and local officials favoring farmers over the use of machinery while charging others with higher rental fees.

Meanwhile, Antique Representative Loren Legarda said she wants the fisherfolk to get more training and give them more entrepreneurship opportunities.

Legarda stressed that there should be more investment in infrastructure, fish ports, and even farm-to-market roads.

During her recent visit in the cities of Malabon and Navotas, Legarda urged residents there to practice sustainable fishing and promote safety and sustainability within their households and communities through waste segregation, recycling, and upcycling.

“We have been blessed with the bounties of the Earth, but amid this abundance, we must be mindful. The pandemic and the climate crisis pose many development challenges, but it also presents the opportunity to promote sustainable growth for our own survival and for the generations to come,” Legarda said in a separate press release.

“Our fisherfolks continue to face various challenges, especially with the impact of climate change, the pandemic, and stronger natural hazards. Thus, we have to continuously strengthen our coordination with them to ensure not only their livelihood but also sustain the country’s food security,” she added. — BM, GMA News