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
Passage Of Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act To Bring Down Food Prices – Lee
August 7, 2024 Murang Pagkain, Gawin na natin! Passage Of Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act To Bring Down Food Prices – Lee With the recent ratification of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, Cong. Wilbert Manoy “Wise” T. Lee said that going after smugglers, hoarders, price manipulators and cartels would effectively bring down food prices which remains to be the main contributor to the overall inflation which rose to 4.4 percent in July. During his trip to Davao Region, Lee said: “Having this Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act signed into law would give the government more teeth to go after hoarders and price manipulators preying on consumers. This is important to stabilize the price of food and other basic commodities which continue to burden Filipinos.” “Dapat habulin at panagutin ang mga demonyong pumapatay sa kabuhayan ng ating local food producers at pabigat sa consumers. Filipinos deserve this law to be implemented because they deserve to be able to have access to basic needs that they need to survive,” Lee, the principal author of the measure, added. Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act seeks to include and penalize other unlawful acts of market abuses, as well as impose a stricter penalty for public officials or employees who tolerate and protect large-scale agricultural smuggling, and other market abuses, namely but not limited to, hoarding, profiteering, or cartel in the country. The House of Representatives passed its version of the proposed law, House Bill No. 9284 on September 27, 2023, while the Senate passed its counterpart Senate Bill No. 2432 on December 12, 2023. The Bicolano lawmaker had previously likened hoarders and price manipulators of agricultural goods to the “devil” and said they needed to be jailed for their crimes. “Parang walang katapusan ang pagtaas ng presyo ng pagkain at iba pang bilihin, na lalong pinapalala ng mga walanghiyang smugglers and hoarders. Marami na ngang hirap sa buhay, lalo pa nilang pinapabigat ang pasanin ng ating mga kababayan. Demonyo lang talaga ang mag-iisip na ayos lang magutom ang kapwa basta kumita sila,” Lee said. “Pirma na nga lang po ng Pangulong Bongbong Marcos ang hihintayin natin at ganap nang maisasabatas ang mas pinalakas na Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Law. Panahon na para maipakulong ang mga nasa likod ng mga krimeng nagpapabagsak sa kabuhayan ng ating mga magsasaka, mangingisda, at sa ating ekonomiya. Dapat lahat sila masampolan!” the solon from Bicol added. Earlier, Lee also filed House Resolution No. 1600 to probe the proliferation of online selling of smuggled onions and protect local farmers and consumers. “Panahon na para putulin ang sungay ng mga agri-smugglers, hoarders at price manipulators. Sapat na kita at proteksyon sa local food producers at consumers, gawin na natin. Murang pagkain, gawin na natin!” he 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 Legislation August 7, 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
Supporting Farmers Is Best Defense Against Inflation – Lee
June 10, 2024 Supporting Farmers Is Best Defense Against Inflation – Lee Amid the approved rice tariff cut and high inflation, AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert Manoy “Wise” T. Lee said that supporting local farmers will effectively address inflation. Speaking at the Kapihan sa QC forum on Sunday, Lee said that while the tariff cut is a way to lower the price of rice to curb inflation and ease the burden of consumers, it must be complemented with stronger support to local farmers which he consider the long term solution to the perennial problem of high food prices. “Sa bawat polisiya ng gobyerno, dapat laging ikonsidera yung ating local food producers, ang ating mga magsasaka. Sila ang aaray dito dahil isang epekto ng pagbaba ng taripa ay pagdagsa ng imported products,” the Bicolano lawmaker said. “Hindi makakasabay o makaka-compete sa pagbaha ng imported products ang ating mga lokal na magsasaka; lalo silang malulugi o di kaya’y malulubog sa utang. Papatayin nito ang kabuhayan ng ating mga magsasaka,” he added. The solon underscored that importation is only a short-term solution, saying, “hindi tayo pwedeng nakaasa lang sa importation. Sa dami ng nangyayari sa ibang mga bansa, tulad ng gyera, sakuna, El Niño, climate change, posibleng tumigil ang ibang bansa sa pag-export. Hindi natin kontrolado ang export policy nila.” The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) board approved on June 3 the new Comprehensive Tariff Program for 2024-2028, which includes reduction of rice tariff for in- and out-quota rates from 35% to 15%. Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), meanwhile, released the May 2024 inflation rate which is at 3.9% from 3.8% the previous month, where food inflation remains as the largest contributor. “Pumalo sa 3.9% ang inflation rate noong Mayo at presyo pa rin ng pagkain ang numero unong humahatak dito pataas. Naniniwala tayo na mas epektibo nating mapapababa ito, hindi sa importasyon, kundi sa dagdag na suporta sa ating mga magsasaka!” Lee said. The lawmaker from Bicol has been pushing for the Cheaper Rice Act, which mandates the Department of Agriculture (DA) and other concerned government agencies to buy local palay with additional P5-P10 than the prevailing farmgate prices. This will ensure increase in income of local farmers while consumers will eventually enjoy lower rice prices in the market. The solon likewise advocates for additional post-harvest facilities and market linkages for farmers through his House Bill (HB) No. 3958 or the “Post-Harvest Facilities Support Act” and HB 3957 or the “Kadiwa Agri-Food Terminal Act.” Lee, who just came recently from a 2-day visit in multiple towns and cities in Bulacan including San Jose del Monte, Sta. Maria, Bocaue, Pandi, Meycauayan, Guiguinto, Malolos, Plaridel and Calumpit, shared that one of the main concerns of farmers are the lack of post-harvest facilities. “Para madagdagan ang kita ng ating mga magsasaka at masiguro ang mas mataas na produksyon, dapat sapat at tuloy-tuloy ang suporta ng gobyerno mula sa pagtatanim, anihan, hanggang sa paghahatid at pagbebenta ng produkto sa merkado,” the solon from Bicol said. “Kawalan ng hustisya kung ang mga magsasakang nagbibigay sa atin ng makakain ay sila pang walang maihain na pagkain sa kanilang pamilya. Our local farmers deserve better so we should demand better for them!” “Kapag may sapat na kita ang mga magsasaka, mas ma-e-engganyo silang palaguin ang kanilang kabuhayan. Sa pagtaas ng kanilang produksyon, dadami ang supply, at bababa ang presyo sa merkado. Makakatipid dito ang bawat pamilya kung saan mas may magagamit na sila sa iba pang pangangailangan, tulad sa pagpapagamot kapag nagkasakit. Sa dagdag na suporta sa mga magsasaka, mangingisda at agricultural workers, Winner Tayo Lahat!” Leave a Comment 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 June 10, 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
Lee Seeks In-Depth, Swift Resolution Of Probe On NFA Anomaly
March 13, 2024 Lee Seeks In-Depth, Swift Resolution Of Probe On NFA Anomaly Bilisan at ungkatin para ubusin ang mga tiwali! AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert “Wise” T. Lee on Wednesday called for a swift and impartial resolution of the ongoing investigation on the alleged anomalous sale of the government’s rice buffer stocks by the National Food Authority (NFA). The Bicolano lawmaker made the statement after the Ombudsman also suspended Piolito Santos, who was appointed acting NFA administrator last week, and Jonathan Yazon, acting department manager for operation and coordination of the NFA. “Welcome development itong inilabas ng Ombudsman na suspension order sa dalawa pang opisyal ng NFA. Dapat maging mabilis at patas itong imbestigasyon at malaman ang katotohanan sa anomalyang ito sa ahensya,” Lee said. “Gusto natin na agarang mapanagot ang dapat managot, at siguruhing makabalik agad sa trabaho ang mga kawaning nadamay lang at walang kasalanan, lalo pa’t siguradong napakalaki na ng psychological impact ng kontrobersiyang ito sa kanilang mga pamilya,” he added. Lee earlier urged President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. to purge NFA of corrupt officials in order to restore the public’s trust in the agency. He further reiterated that the agency’s operations must not be hindered, especially in easing the burden of local farmers, who continue to suffer from the detrimental effects of El Niño. “Sa harap ng imbestigasyong ito, kailangang siguruhin na hindi mapaparalisa ang operasyon ng NFA dahil kapag nangyari ito, kawawa lalo ang ating mga lokal na magsasaka,” the solon pointed out. According to Lee, “Dapat matanggal sa NFA ang mga tiwali o may bahid ng korapsyon, lalo na sa hanay ng mga opisyal nito. Tungkulin ng NFA na mapagaan ang pasanin ng mga lokal na magsasaka, makatulong sa mga consumers na makabili ng mas murang bigas at maghatid ng agarang ayuda sa mga apektado ng sakuna, hindi yung pinalalaki pa nila ang kita ng mga mapagsamantalang traders.” Lee filed House Resolution No. 1625 which aims to identify any gaps or loopholes in the existing policies of the NFA and determine what legislation is necessary to ensure the agency’s optimal utilization of goods and proper disposal methods. “Winner Tayo Lahat kung mauubos ang mga tiwali saanmang ahensya ng gobyerno, kung nagtatrabaho ito para magkaroon ng tiyak na kabuhayan, dagdag na kita, sapat at masustansyang pagkain, at maibsan ang pangamba ng bawat pamilya na wala silang panggastos kapag sila ay nagkasakit,” Lee stressed. Leave a Comment Cancel reply Logged in as admin_wilbertleeagriadvocacy. Edit your profile. Log out? Required fields are marked * Message* Latest Post 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 05 Nov 2024 Cong. Wilbert Manoy "Wise" Lee Advocates for Stronger Support to Farmers Amid Inflation Categories Advocay Legislation Support Share on Social Media Legislation March 13, 2024 Hot News 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 GRI Party-list Ranks Among Top Choices for 2025 Midterm Elections, Says Tangere Survey