AGRI Party-list Warns of Long-Term Risks from Cuts to Agriculture Budget

December 13, 2024 AGRI Party-list Warns of Long-Term Risks from Cuts to Agriculture Budget The AGRI Party-list has issued a strong appeal to lawmakers in both chambers of Congress to ensure the agriculture sector’s budget remains protected as deliberations over the 2025 General Appropriations Bill move forward. According to AGRI Party-list Representative and Senatorial Aspirant Manoy Wilbert “Wise” Lee, insufficient funding for agriculture could lead to long-term challenges for food security and the livelihoods of millions of Filipinos. “Investing in agriculture isn’t just about immediate support; it’s about future-proofing our food systems against crises like rising global food prices and climate change. Our farmers, fisherfolk, and food producers play a vital role in our nation’s stability, and reducing their support at this time is unacceptable,” Lee said. AGRI highlighted that the Department of Agriculture’s proposed ₱500 billion budget was slashed to less than half, leaving critical issues such as low productivity, outdated infrastructure, and a lack of post-harvest facilities unaddressed. “Our current allocation falls far short of what’s needed to meet the demands of our local food producers,” the group stated, emphasizing the disparity between agriculture’s potential and its share in the national budget. The group called on the Bicameral Conference Committee to prioritize food security, pointing out that increased agricultural funding would benefit all Filipinos by stabilizing food prices and boosting supply. “This is not just about the farmers; it’s about every Filipino family that depends on affordable and accessible food,” AGRI stressed. #AgricultureBudget2025 #FoodSecurity #WiseMoves Leave a Reply Cancel reply Logged in as admin_wilbertleeagriadvocacy. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Latest Post 08 Dec 2024 AGRI PL URGES SENATE, HREP TO PROTECT AGRI BUDGET FOR 2025 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 Categories Advocay Legislation Support Share on Social Media Advocacy December 13, 2024 Hot News AGRI Party-list Advocates for Full Protection of Agriculture Budget in 2025 AGRI Party-list Warns of Long-Term Risks from Cuts to Agriculture Budget AGRI PL URGES SENATE, HREP TO PROTECT AGRI BUDGET FOR 2025 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

AGRI AMONG PREFERRED PARTY-LISTS IN 2025 MIDTERM ELECTIONS

October 20, 2024 AGRI AMONG PREFERRED PARTY-LISTS IN 2025 MIDTERM ELECTIONS AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert “Wise” T. Lee has underscored the importance of consistent and accurate government figures being reported on agricultural damage due to El Niño, particularly data from the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). “Nakakalito ang mga lumalabas na datos mula sa DA at NDRRMC. Bukod sa hindi nagtutugma, napakalaki ng diperensya ng inilalabas nilang mga numero” Lee said. “Ayon sa DA, umabot na sa halos P6 billion ang pinsala sa agrikultura sa bansa dulot ng El Niño noong April 30. Sa inilabas naman na situation report ng NDRRMC noong April 29, nasa mahigit P1.6 billion ang tinatayang pinsala sa agrikultura. Dapat linawin kung bakit magkaiba at alin ang dapat sundin dito,” he added. According to the DA, the blistering temperatures brought about by the El Niño have caused P5.9 billion in damage to the agricultural sector, affecting 113,585 farmers and fisherfolk in 12 regions in the country and devastating a total of 104,402 hectares of agricultural areas. The latest report from the NDRRMC, meanwhile, shows 46,805 farmers and fisherfolk affected by the extreme heat, with 44,437 hectares of crops impacted for a total of more than P1.6 billion in agricultural damage. “The appropriate mitigation and response to El Niño is dependent on accurate data, especially since this is the basis for the assistance being given by the government to those affected by the phenomenon. How much will be given to how many is reliant on the reports being published kaya sana po ay magkaroon ng maayos na komunikasyon sa pagitan ng mga ahensiya ng gobyerno na nag-a-assess at naglalabas ng mga ganitong datos,” the Bicolano lawmaker stressed. According to the DA, it has so far provided at least P2.18 billion worth of assistance to El Niño devastated farmers and fisherfolk. The agency said that its regional offices have provided production support worth P658.22 million and P1.06 billion financial assistance to rice farmers in Cagayan Valley and Mimaropa.  “Napaka-crucial ng tamang datos para makapaghatid ng sapat at mabilis na tulong sa mga nangangailangan. Deserve ng ating mga kababayan ang mas maayos na serbisyo, mabawasan ang kanilang mga pasanin, at maibsan ang kanilang pangamba na lalong mabaon sa hirap at utang sa panahon ng kagipitan tulad na lang kung may magkasakit sa pamilya,” the solon said.  “We deserve better, and we must demand better for efficient and swift services. Siguradong Winner Tayo Lahat sa pagkakaisa, malasakit at koordinasyon ng mga ahensya ng gobyerno at taumbayan, para sa mabilis na pagresponde at pamamahagi ng ayuda, lalo na sa panahon ng sakuna. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Logged in as admin_wilbertleeagriadvocacy. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Latest Post 18 Nov 2024 Amid calamities AGRI PL CALLS TO FAST-TRACK EXPANSION OF CROP INSURANCE COVERAGE 07 Nov 2024 Cong. Wilbert Lee Stresses Farmer Support as Inflation Solution at Kapihan sa QC 06 Nov 2024 Cong. Wilbert Lee: Supporting Farmers is Best Solution to Curb Inflation Categories Advocay Legislation Support Share on Social Media Advocacy October 20, 2024 Hot News 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 Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee Urges PhilHealth, PCA to Fulfill Commitments to Coconut Farmers’ Health Cong. Manoy Wilbert Lee Calls on PhilHealth, PCA to Deliver Health Benefits for Coconut Farmers AGRI Party-list Ranks 8th in Tangere Poll for 2025 Elections,  Vows to Continue Advocacy for Farmers