Lee To DA: Help Reduce Diabetes In PH By Mainstreaming Low-GI, High-Protein Rice

April 5, 2024 Lee To DA: Help Reduce Diabetes In PH By Mainstreaming Low-GI, High-Protein Rice AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert “Wise” T. Lee urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) to partner with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to hasten the release of ultra-low glycemic index (GI) and protein-rich variety of rice to Filipino farmers. Lee said mainstreaming the production of this variety of rice would greatly aid in the reduction of diabetes mellitus cases in the country. “Hindi naman po kaila sa atin na ang Pilipinas ay isa sa mga nangungunang consumer ng bigas sa buong mundo. At dahil tila permanenteng parte na ng ating pagkain ang kanin, hindi maikakaila ang koneksyon nito sa dami ng may diabetes sa bansa,” he said. Based on the latest data from the International Diabetes Federation of which the Philippine College of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism is a member, out of a total adult population of 66,754,400 in the Philippines in 2021, there were a total of 4,303,899 cases of diabetes recorded, equivalent to 6.44 percent. Further, in 2023, deaths in the Philippines due to diabetes mellitus were recorded at 14,416 cases, or 6.2 percent share, making it the fourth leading cause of death in the country. The IRRI aims to introduce the ultra-low GI, high protein rice variety by 2025. The research institute said the multi-location trial for this has already been started in more than 10 provinces nationwide. Glycemic index is a ranking of carbohydrate-containing foods based on how slowly or quickly they are digested and increase blood glucose levels, with pure sugar having a score of 100. The IRRI said it expects more rice farmers to cultivate this variety once the trials determine the target market. According to IRRI scientists, the price of ultra-low GI, high protein rice will be the same as the normal rice available in the markets. According to Lee, the DA can certainly find ways to expedite and expand the trials, saying that “kapag napabilis natin ang pag-distribute ng variety ng bigas na ito sa ating mga magsasaka, mas mapapabilis din ang pagma-mainstream nito sa merkado. “ “Kapag mas may access at nagawa pa nating mas abot-kaya sa Pilipino ang ganitong klase ng bigas, mas marami ang matutulungan nating makaiwas o mabawasan ang alalahanin sa mga chronic disease tulad ng diabetes at kaugnay nitong mga sakit.” “Dahil sinasabi rin ng mga eksperto na mas mabilis tayong makakaramdam ng pagkabusog sa bigas na ito, mas kaunti rin ang ikokonsumo natin. Bawas na sa pangamba sa sakit, bawas pa sa gastos. Winner Tayo Lahat sa bagong uri at mas healthy na bigas na ito,” he added. Lee, a staunch health advocate, persistently pushed for the 30% increase in Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) benefits which took effect on February 14. The solon also urged PhilHealth to provide unlimited coverage for cancer treatment, heart bypass surgery, and other diagnostic tests and preventive measures, as well as the effective implementation of the No Balance Billing policy to lessen the out-of-pocket medical expenses of patients and their families. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Logged in as admin_wilbertleeagriadvocacy. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Latest Post 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 25 Nov 2024 AGRI Party-list Pushes for Expanded Crop Insurance Amid Calamities Categories Advocay Legislation Support Share on Social Media Advocacy, Support April 5, 2024 Hot News Expanded Crop Insurance Key to Food Security, Says AGRI Party-list AGRI Party-list Urges Senate to Prioritize Crop Insurance Expansion AGRI Party-list Pushes for Expanded Crop Insurance Amid Calamities Amid calamities AGRI PL CALLS TO FAST-TRACK EXPANSION OF CROP INSURANCE COVERAGE Cong. Wilbert Lee Stresses Farmer Support as Inflation Solution at Kapihan sa QC Cong. Wilbert Lee: Supporting Farmers is Best Solution to Curb Inflation Cong. Wilbert Manoy “Wise” Lee Advocates for Stronger Support to Farmers Amid Inflation Cong. Wilbert Lee: “Ang pinakamabisang solusyon sa inflation ay pagtulong sa mga magsasaka” Cong. Wilbert Lee Champions Bigger Budget for Agriculture in 2025 Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee Demands Action on Coconut Farmers’ Health Benefits Amid Delays

Cleanse NFA Of Corrupt Officials, Lee Urges PBBM

March 6, 2024 Cleanse NFA Of Corrupt Officials, Lee Urges PBBM AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert “Wise” T. Lee on Wednesday urged President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. to purge corrupt officials and employees of the National Food Authority (NFA) in order to restore public trust in the agency. Lee issued the call after NFA Administrator Roderico Bioco and 138 other NFA officials and employees were suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman for their alleged involvement in the anomalous sale of the government’s rice buffer stocks. “Malaking kasalanan ang paglustay sa supply ng bigas, lalo pa napakamahal ng presyo ng pagkain at mga pangunahing bilihin ngayon,” Lee said. “In order to restore the trust of the public in the NFA, there needs to be a revamp and the first step to that is to remove all officials involved in anomalies,” he added. The Ombudsman found  “sufficient grounds” to suspend Bioco and the others saying there was “strong evidence showing their guilt.” Amid the alleged anomalous sale of rice reserves, the Bicolano lawmaker filed House Resolution No. 1625 to probe the current policies of the NFA and its implementation regarding the optimal utilization of their goods and proper disposal methods. According to Lee, “There is a need to identify any gaps or loopholes in the existing policies of NFA. Kailangang linawin ang mga polisiya,  tuldukan ang mga kalakaran na ugat ng katiwalian, at panagutin ang mga corrupt na dumadagdag lang sa pasanin ng taumbayan.” “Sa panahon na hirap ang ating mga magsasaka sa ani dahil sa epekto ng El Niño, kailangan natin ng mamumuno sa NFA na walang bahid ng korapsyon. Kung maayos lang sana ang pamahahala ng buffer stock ng bigas, mababawasan ang pag-angkat natin nito,” the solon said. For the past several years, the Philippines has been resorting to imports to augment the rice supply in the local market. During a recent bilateral meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, President Marcos said the Philippines wants to engage Cambodia in trade in agriculture, specifically rice. The country is also considering Cambodia as a rice supplier amid the El Niño dry spell. “Upang maayos ang supply ng mga pangunahing pagkain, kailangan natin ng maaasahan na magsusulong ng interes ng publiko at hindi pansariling interes. Kailangan natin ng mga lider na tapat na maglilingkod at magtatrabaho para maging Winner Tayo Lahat,” Lee stressed. “Ang dapat na tutok natin ay kung paano mababawasan ang pangamba ng ating mga kababayan pagdating sa kanilang kabuhayan, kita, pagkain, at lalong-lalo na sa kalusugan, hindi yung ang mga nasa gobyerno pa ang dahilan ng pagbigat ng kalbaryo ng mga Pilipino,” he added. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Logged in as admin_wilbertleeagriadvocacy. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Latest Post 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 25 Nov 2024 AGRI Party-list Pushes for Expanded Crop Insurance Amid Calamities Categories Advocay Legislation Support Share on Social Media Advocacy March 6, 2024 Hot News Expanded Crop Insurance Key to Food Security, Says AGRI Party-list AGRI Party-list Urges Senate to Prioritize Crop Insurance Expansion AGRI Party-list Pushes for Expanded Crop Insurance Amid Calamities Amid calamities AGRI PL CALLS TO FAST-TRACK EXPANSION OF CROP INSURANCE COVERAGE Cong. Wilbert Lee Stresses Farmer Support as Inflation Solution at Kapihan sa QC Cong. Wilbert Lee: Supporting Farmers is Best Solution to Curb Inflation Cong. Wilbert Manoy “Wise” Lee Advocates for Stronger Support to Farmers Amid Inflation Cong. Wilbert Lee: “Ang pinakamabisang solusyon sa inflation ay pagtulong sa mga magsasaka” Cong. Wilbert Lee Champions Bigger Budget for Agriculture in 2025 Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee Demands Action on Coconut Farmers’ Health Benefits Amid Delays