VP Leni pushes for support for local farmers to compete with importer
Vice President Leni Robredo emphasized the need to modernize agriculture and support local farmers to be able to compete with foreign importers.
“Kaya hindi tayo nakakapag-compete kasi napakataas ng ating cost of production,” Robredo said at the “Panata sa Bayan: KBP Presidential Candidates Forum” on Friday, February 4.
She said with proper support, farmers’ income will rise, they will be encouraged to farm, and local produce will be enough to sustain the Philippines.
“Tutulungan natin ang ating mga magsasakang makahanap ng maayos na merkado para sa kanilang mga itatanim. At pag napalakas natin ang kanilang kapasidad, magiging maayos ang kanilang kita at mas giginhawa ang kanilang buhay, mas lilinaw ang landas sa pag asenso.”
To illustrate her plans, Robredo referred to the current model of the Office of the Vice President’s Omasenso sa Kabuhayan program, launched in 2018. “Nili-link namin directly yung farmers to institutional buyers. Napahalaga nito at napaka-successful ng programa, kasi nawawala yung mga middle men… tumataas yung kita ng ating mga magsasaka.”
The program also provides support services that teach farming communities how to scale production in order to sell to bigger markets.
The OVP partnered with the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Agrarian Reform, the Department of Science and Technology, and the Department of Trade and Industry for the program’s various projects.
The focus on supporting local farmers is part of Robredo’s Angat Buhay sa Hanapbuhay campaign platform, which goes hand-in-hand with her Angat Buhay sa Pagkain pillar, which aims is to fight malnutrition.
“Papalakasin natin ang agrikultura, lalo na ang local production para tuloy-tuloy ang kita ng mga magsasaka at mangingisda, at sigurado ang food supply,“ Robredo said.
The KBP presidential forum was attended by four other candidates: Senator Ping Lacson, Senator Manny Pacquiao, Mayor Isko Moreno, and Leody de Guzman. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was a no-show, citing a conflict in schedules.
The forum was broadcast live over 300 TV networks and radio stations nationwide, with additional global livestreaming services over the internet. [End]