Lee Awaits Signing Of Economic Sabotage Law Amid Surge In Agricultural Smuggling

September 12, 2024 Lee Awaits Signing Of Economic Sabotage Law Amid Surge In Agricultural Smuggling “Hindi pwedeng hanggang kaso lang. Dapat ipakulong yang mga salot na agri-smugglers!” This is what Cong. Wilbert Manoy “Wise” T. Lee said as he raised the alarm over the surge of smuggled agricultural goods intercepted by Philippine authorities this year. As the principal author of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, Lee expressed optimism that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will soon sign it into law which will impose stricter penalties and hefty fines against large-scale smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, cartelizing, and other market abuses involving agricultural and fishery commodities considered as economic sabotage. “We are hopeful that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will sign this measure into law soon. Dapat seryosong puksain na ang mga krimeng ito na patuloy na kumikitil sa kabuhayan ng mga local food producers at nagmamanipula ng presyo sa merkado na pabigat lalo sa mga consumer,” the solon from Bicol said. “Wakasan na ang kademonyohang ito na walang ibang dulot kundi pasakit sa mga Pilipino. Sampolan na ang mga agri-smugglers, hoarders, price manipulators, at mga kasabwat sa gobyerno!” he added. The Bicolano lawmaker was referring to a series of smuggling cases which have been plaguing the country this year, with authorities from the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Bureau of Customs (BOC) confiscating millions of pesos worth of smuggled agricultural products in multiple operations. These include smuggled agricultural products from China and Taiwan in Subic Port in Zambales amounting to P21.08 million seized by BOC and DA last September 11 and the 3,200 cartons of smuggled oranges from Thailand worth P8.422 million confiscated last week. Apart from the recent cases, Lee pointed out the P5 million worth of suspected smuggled agricultural products in three warehouses in Manila seized in January; at least P100 million worth of smuggled frozen meat and agricultural products seized in Kawit, Cavite in June; and P50 million worth of onions and other goods from China discovered in Navotas in August. The smuggled vegetables found in Navotas later tested positive for pesticide residues, heavy metals, and microbiological contaminants. “Napakahalaga ng batas na ito para protektahan ang kabuhayan ng ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda, magkaroon ng seguridad sa pagkain, mapangalagaan ang kabuhayan ng libo-libong mga Pilipino, at mailayo sa peligro ang kalusugan ng mga consumer na pwedeng makabili ng mga di nasusuring produkto,” he said. A staunch agricultural advocate, Lee has been reiterating that the best defense against inflation is to support the agriculture sector, saying: “Kapag may sapat na kita ang mga magsasaka at mangingisda, dadami ang supply sa merkado, bababa ang presyo ng pagkain, na magpapagaan sa pasanin ng ating mga kababayan,” he added. Notwithstanding the slowdown of the country’s overall inflation in August 2024 at 3.3% from 4.4% the previous month, Lee underscored that efforts must be tripled to address the constant challenge of high food prices being the main driver of inflation. “It is time we put an end to the suffering of our farmers and fisherfolk. Their hard work feeds the nation, and we owe them the protection of their livelihood which will significantly propel our economy. Sa suporta sa agrikultura, panalo ang masa!” Lee remarked. “Pagpapanagot sa agri-smugglers, hoarders, price manipulators, kartel at mga kasabwat sa gobyerno, gawin na natin! Murang pagkain, gawin na natin! Laban nating lahat ito,” he added. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Logged in as admin_wilbertleeagriadvocacy. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Latest Post 26 Nov 2024 AGRI Party-list Urges Senate to Prioritize Crop Insurance Expansion 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 Categories Advocay Legislation Support Share on Social Media Advocacy September 12, 2024 Hot News AGRI Party-list Urges Senate to Prioritize Crop Insurance Expansion 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

Oil Spill Accountability And Relief Lee Visits Bataan Oil Spill Ground Zero; Urges Govt To Fast-Track Assistance, Go After Those Accountable Oil Spill Accountability And Relief

August 29, 2024 Oil Spill Accountability And Relief Lee Visits Bataan Oil Spill Ground Zero; Urges Govt To Fast-Track Assistance, Go After Those Accountable Oil Spill Accountability And Relief In light of the 38th Philippine Coconut Week, Cong. Wilbert Manoy “Wise” T. Lee stressed that to achieve the country’s goal of becoming the world’s top coconut exporter, the government must prioritize protecting coconut farmers by fast-tracking the release of the coco levy funds, health and medical benefits rightful to them. Lee, who is now in Pangasinan to lead the distribution of financial assistance under the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), renewed his call as President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. recently approved the increase by P1 billion the budget for mass coconut planting and replanting program and P2.5 billion for the fertilization program. Earlier, Marcos also expressed his vision of making the Philippines world’s number 1 coconut exporter, upgrading from the current second rank next to Indonesia. “Kung gusto natin na maging top exporter ng niyog, bukod sa suporta sa pagtatanim, ay dapat ding tutukan ng gobyerno ang kapakanan at kalusugan ng ating mga magniniyog,” Lee said. “Matagal na po nating itinutulak na ang pondo para sa mga magniniyog, dapat ibigay agad sa mga magniniyog. Sa laki ng ambag ng industriyang ito sa ating ekonomiya, hindi dapat napupurnada ang pamamahagi ng ayuda para sa kanilang kabuhayan at serbisyong pangkalusugan,” he added. In May 2023, the Bicolano lawmaker filed House Resolution (HR) No. 954 upon discovering that only 34% of the total Coco Levy Fund was disbursed for fiscal year 2022 to provide grants and subsidies for the livelihood and welfare of coconut farmers. Last April, he also filed HR No. 1673 urging Congress to thoroughly investigate the delayed implementation of the health and medical services for the coconut farmers and their families prescribed by Republic Act (RA) No. 11524 or the “Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund (CFITF) Act” and reinforced by Executive Order (EO) No. 172. “It is a clear violation of law that more than three years since the CFITF Law was enacted, health and medical benefits of coconut farmers remain undelivered to the beneficiaries. Our coconut farmers deserve better so we must demand better implementation of the laws to protect them,” Lee stressed.  “Huwag natin paasahin sa wala ang mga nagtataguyod sa industriya ng niyog. Dumadaing na ang ating mga coconut farmers sa mababang presyo ng kopra at sa dagdag pasaning dulot ng El Niño, bukod pa sa banta ng paparating na La Niña. Kaya ibigay na ang dapat ibigay na serbisyo para sa kanila!” he added. Meanwhile, under the Philippine Coconut Industry Development Plan 2024-2034 (PCIDP 2024-2034), the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) aims to plant 100 million coconut trees by 2028 which will be valued at P33.1 billion by 2034. “Sa pagpapalakas sa ating mga magniniyog, mapapaunlad ang indusriya, magiging abot-kamay ang layunin nating maging top exporter sa mundo, makalilikha ng mga bagong oportunidad na dala ng iba’t ibang produkto mula sa niyog, lalago ang ekonomiya na magbibigay naman ng kakayahan sa gobyerno na palawakin ang serbisyo para sa taumbayan. Panalo ang sambayanang Pilipino,” Lee said. “Dagdag na suporta sa industriya ng niyog at proteksyon para sa mga magniniyog, gawin na natin!” he added. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Logged in as admin_wilbertleeagriadvocacy. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Latest Post 26 Nov 2024 AGRI Party-list Urges Senate to Prioritize Crop Insurance Expansion 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 Categories Advocay Legislation Support Share on Social Media Advocacy August 29, 2024 Hot News AGRI Party-list Urges Senate to Prioritize Crop Insurance Expansion 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

Lawmakers Unite Behind Lee’s Call To Increase DA Budget To Lower Food Prices

August 12, 2024 Murang pagkain, Gawin na natin! Lawmakers Unite Behind Lee’s Call To Increase DA Budget To Lower Food Prices Murang Pagkain, Gawin na Natin! Lawmakers on Monday united behind AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert Manoy “Wise” T. Lee’s call to give the needed budget of the Department of Agriculture (DA) which only got P200.2 billion from its requested P513.8 billion for 2025. During the House briefing on DA’s 2025 budget, Lee said: “Priority ba natin talaga ang agrikultura? Seryoso ba tayo dito? Dahil ang nabasa ko, sinabi ni Secretary [Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr.], P513 billion ang request niya. Ngayon, nakita ko P200 billion lang ang binigay. Ang laki ng difference. Paano natin pabababain ang presyo ng pagkain kung kulang ang inilaan na pondo para sa agrikultura?” “Gusto nating pataasin ang produksyon, pababain ang presyo ng bilihin pero binawasan ang budget. Para tayong naglolokohan lang. Dapat ibigay yung ni-request ng ahensya, at gastusin nang tama para maramdaman agad ng mamamayan, hindi yung nakatengga lang.” This was echoed by his fellow lawmakers such as Rep. Antonio “Tonypet” Albano, Rep. Luis Raymund “Lray” Villafuerte and Rep. Jose “Bong” Teves Jr., among others. “As I said, from our colleague, AGRI Party-list [Rep. Wilbert Lee], tama, kulang po ang budget ng Department of Agriculture. Ngayon ang tanong, bakit tayo nandito? Kailangan nating suportahan ang budget ng Department of Agriculture,” Teves said, which was seconded by other Congressmen. DA Secretary Tiu-Laurel agreed with Lee’s sentiment saying that he is not yet satisfied with the budget given to the agency. “It is unfortunate na yung request natin na P500 billion ay naging P200 billion. I guess, it all boils down sa kung ano ang kaya ng ating gobyerno na i-provide. But of course, manghihingi pa kami ng kaunting dagdag sa bicam [bicameral conference committee], before the end of the year,” the DA chief said. Lee, a food security champion, also pointed out the huge difference between the pre-harvest services and post-harvest facilities which have an allocation of P58.45 billion and P13.51 billion, respectively. “Alam naman po natin na ang post-harvest ang isa sa malaking problema ng ating mga magsasaka. Bakit ba ayaw nating dagdagan ang budget dito, kung hindi man agad na maipantay, eh mailapit man lang sa pre-harvest budget? Napakalayo ng agwat?” Lee said. The solon from Bicol also underscored the need to boost market linkages citing the recent incident of excess tomatoes which Nueva Ecija farmers had to forego or sell for lower prices. “Matagal na po itong ganitong problema. Madalas sobra sa isang lugar, kulang sa ibang lugar ang supply. Pinapalala yan ng problema ng kawalan ng dryers, cold storage facilities, mga machineries, kakulangan ng food terminals o Kadiwa centers,” the solon remarked. Lee then vowed to work closely with the DA family and to submit his proposed amendments to increase the budget of the DA that can help lower the prices of rice and other agricultural commodities. “Paulit-ulit na natin itong panawagan. Pero walang nangyayari. Hindi tayo naglolokohan dito. Seryosong usapin ito para maabot ang murang pagkain. Kawawa ang ating local food producers, kawawa din tayong lahat. Gusto natin mapamura ang pagkain, hindi yung napapamura ang Pilipino sa mahal na bilihin.” “Once and for all, Mr. Chair, Mr. Secretary, gawin na natin ito. May pondo ang gobyerno, nakakapaglaan nga tayo sa mga proyekto na hindi nga ganoon kahalaga o kailangan. Ano pa ang hinihintay natin? Murang pagkain, mataas na produksyon, gawin na natin!” Lee said.  Leave a Comment Cancel reply Logged in as admin_wilbertleeagriadvocacy. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Latest Post 26 Nov 2024 AGRI Party-list Urges Senate to Prioritize Crop Insurance Expansion 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 Categories Advocay Legislation Support Share on Social Media Advocacy August 12, 2024 Hot News AGRI Party-list Urges Senate to Prioritize Crop Insurance Expansion 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