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

Lee Welcomes NFA’s Higher Palay Buying Price, Bats For Cheaper Rice Act

May 14, 2024 Lee Welcomes NFA’s Higher Palay Buying Price, Bats For Cheaper Rice Act AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert “Wise” T. Lee lauded the recent approval of the National Food Authority (NFA) Council to buy local palay for a higher price to beef up the country’s rice buffer stock. According to the NFA Council, the approved increase in the procurement price of rice will give them flexibility to compete with private traders and help rice farmers boost their income. The NFA buying price now for dry and clean local palay is P23 to P30 per kilo from the previous P19 to P23 per kilo, while wet and fresh palay will be purchased at P17 to P23 a kilo from P16 to P19 per kilo. “The administration’s measure to boost the country’s rice buffer stock by buying local palay at a higher price is what the farmers—our food security soldiers—need now more than ever as they struggle with the effects of El Niño and low income. Spending more to boost their productivity is the right way to go,” Lee said. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. underscored the importance of increasing the buying price for palay, saying “we need to ensure that our farmers make money to encourage them to continue planting and even expand the area planted to rice.” The Bicolano lawmaker then reiterated his call for the urgent passage of his proposed House Bill No. 9020 or the “Cheaper Rice Act” which will institutionalize the “price subsidy” program for the government to buy palay from local farmers at a higher price to ensure their profit and entice them to boost their production. “Sa panukala nating Cheaper Rice Act, isasabatas na natin ang dagdag o patong na P5 to P10 sa prevailing farmgate price per kilo ng palay na bibilhin ng gobyerno sa mga lokal na magsasaka para siguradong kikita sila. Kapag may kita, magpupursige silang taasan ang kanilang produksyon. Kapag dumami ang supply ng bigas, bababa rin ang presyo sa merkado, na aambag din sa pagkamit ng food security sa bansa,” explained Lee. “Kung gusto nating maabot ang P20/kilo ng bigas, dapat gawing priority measure ang panukala nating ito nang maisabatas na sa lalong madaling panahon,” the solon earlier said. Lee added that this legislation will also address the concerns that farmers are forced to sell their land because they are not earning. “Kung may kita, wala po sigurong magsasaka na makakaisip na ibenta ang kanilang lupang sinasaka. Mahihikayat din ang kanilang mga anak at ang kabataan na pasukin ang pagsasaka,” he stressed. “Through this measure, the country will have sufficient supply of rice and we will not rely solely on imports,” Lee further stressed referring to the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) projected rice importation by the Philippines at 3.9 million metric tons (MT) this year, following “strong recent purchases from Vietnam.” “Sa Cheaper Rice Act, hindi na agrabyado ang ating mga magsasaka sa pagbebenta ng palay sa presyong binabarat sila. Panalo din ang consumer sa idudulot nitong mas mababang presyo ng bigas. Sa dulo, bawas pangamba ito sa bawat Pilipino na kakapusin ang kanilang budget sa iba pang pangangailangan, lalo na kung may magkasakit sa pamilya, kaya Winner Tayo Lahat,” Lee said.  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 Support May 14, 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