Among Preferred Senatorables In Latest Octa Survey Lee Joins Aksyon Demokratiko Of Fellow Bicolano Raul Roco

September 20, 2024 Among Preferred Senatorables In Latest Octa Survey Lee Joins Aksyon Demokratiko Of Fellow Bicolano Raul Roco Cong. Wilbert Manoy “Wise”T. Lee said he will push for a bigger budget for agriculture once deliberations begin for the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) at the House of Representatives. “Kahapon sa DBCC (Development Budget Coordination Committee) briefing, natalakay itong pagkaltas sa pondo ng agrikultura. Nakahanda po tayong amyendahan ang budget para dito para madagdagan at maiwasto dahil para sa atin, ito ang dapat na prayoridad at dagdagan ng suporta ng gobyerno,” Lee said. “With this year’s drought brought about by the El Niño and the La Niña in the coming months, we need adequate financial support to boost productivity and re-energize the sector to achieve food sufficiency and food security,” he added. The P6.352-trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP) was officially turned over to the House of Representatives by the Department of Budget and Management on July 29. Under the NEP, the proposed budget for the agriculture sector – which includes the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), and all their attached agencies and corporations – suffered a P10.4-billion reduction, down to P211.3 billion from P221.7 billion in this year’s General Appropriations Act (GAA). According to DBM, bulk of the budget will be used to fund agriculture modernization programs as well as cash aid to farmers and fisherfolk. Lee said the proposed P211 billion agriculture budget in the NEP was a far cry from the P513.81 billion target budget announced by the DA in April. “We are supportive of the original proposed budget for the DA, especially since around P225.83 billion out of the target P513-billion budget was supposed to be for agricultural modernization as well as to improve the anti-smuggling efforts of DA’s bureaus,” he said. The Bicolano lawmaker has been a vocal supporter for modernization of the agriculture sector. He has been persistent in urging the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) to efficiently use their budget to provide farm equipment and post-harvest facilities to increase agricultural workers’ production and address soaring food prices. The solon from Bicol likewise advocates for additional post-harvest facilities and market linkages for farmers and fisherfolk through his House Bill (HB) No. 3958 or the “Post-Harvest Facilities Support Act” and HB 3957 or the “Kadiwa Agri-Food Terminal Act.” Morever, Lee undercored the importance of the digitization of the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), saying: “Ang mga panukalang ito na itinutulak natin ang sisiguro na sapat at tuloy-tuloy ang ayuda ng gobyerno mula sa pagtatanim, anihan, hanggang sa paghahatid at pagbebenta ng produkto sa merkado.” “Pera ng gobyerno, pera ng taumbayan. Dapat meaningful spending. Walang underspending, walang pagwawaldas. Kapag nag-invest tayo sa agrikultura at sinuportahan ang mga magsasaka at mangingisda, tataas ang kanilang produksyon, hindi tayo masyadong aasa sa imported, bababa ang presyo ng pagkain at iba pang bilihin, at gagaan ang pasanin ng ating mga kababayan.” “Ang pinakamabisang solusyon sa inflation ay pagtulong sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda—ang ating ‘food security soldiers’. Kaya kailangan na laging top priority ang agrikultura. Sa pangunguna ng ating food security soldiers, murang pagkain, 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 Support September 20, 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 Calls For More Support For Coco Farmers, Fast-Track Release Of Livelihood And Health Benefits

August 29, 2024 Lee Calls For More Support For Coco Farmers, Fast-Track Release Of Livelihood And Health Benefits 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 financialWryt 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 Determined To Increase Agri Budget

August 6, 2024 Lee Determined To Increase Agri Budget Cong. Wilbert Manoy “Wise” T. Lee said he will push for a bigger budget for agriculture once deliberations begin for the 2025 General Appropriations Bill (GAB) at the House of Representatives. “Kahapon sa DBCC (Development Budget Coordination Committee) briefing, natalakay itong pagkaltas sa pondo ng agrikultura. Nakahanda po tayong amyendahan ang budget para dito para madagdagan at maiwasto dahil para sa atin, ito ang dapat na prayoridad at dagdagan ng suporta ng gobyerno,” Lee said. “With this year’s drought brought about by the El Niño and the La Niña in the coming months, we need adequate financial support to boost productivity and re-energize the sector to achieve food sufficiency and food security,” he added. The P6.352-trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP) was officially turned over to the House of Representatives by the Department of Budget and Management on July 29. Under the NEP, the proposed budget for the agriculture sector – which includes the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), and all their attached agencies and corporations – suffered a P10.4-billion reduction, down to P211.3 billion from P221.7 billion in this year’s General Appropriations Act (GAA). According to DBM, bulk of the budget will be used to fund agriculture modernization programs as well as cash aid to farmers and fisherfolk. Lee said the proposed P211 billion agriculture budget in the NEP was a far cry from the P513.81 billion target budget announced by the DA in April. “We are supportive of the original proposed budget for the DA, especially since around P225.83 billion out of the target P513-billion budget was supposed to be for agricultural modernization as well as to improve the anti-smuggling efforts of DA’s bureaus,” he said. The Bicolano lawmaker has been a vocal supporter for modernization of the agriculture sector. He has been persistent in urging the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) to efficiently use their budget to provide farm equipment and post-harvest facilities to increase agricultural workers’ production and address soaring food prices. The solon from Bicol likewise advocates for additional post-harvest facilities and market linkages for farmers and fisherfolk through his House Bill (HB) No. 3958 or the “Post-Harvest Facilities Support Act” and HB 3957 or the “Kadiwa Agri-Food Terminal Act.” Morever, Lee undercored the importance of the digitization of the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), saying: “Ang mga panukalang ito na itinutulak natin ang sisiguro na sapat at tuloy-tuloy ang ayuda ng gobyerno mula sa pagtatanim, anihan, hanggang sa paghahatid at pagbebenta ng produkto sa merkado.” “Pera ng gobyerno, pera ng taumbayan. Dapat meaningful spending. Walang underspending, walang pagwawaldas. Kapag nag-invest tayo sa agrikultura at sinuportahan ang mga magsasaka at mangingisda, tataas ang kanilang produksyon, hindi tayo masyadong aasa sa imported, bababa ang presyo ng pagkain at iba pang bilihin, at gagaan ang pasanin ng ating mga kababayan.” “Ang pinakamabisang solusyon sa inflation ay pagtulong sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda—ang ating ‘food security soldiers’. Kaya kailangan na laging top priority ang agrikultura. Sa pangunguna ng ating food security soldiers, murang pagkain, gawin na natin!” he added. 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 6, 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

Restoring NFA Power To Sell Rice To Bring Price To As Low As P37/Kilo — Lee

May 1, 2024 Restoring NFA Power To Sell Rice To Bring Price To As Low As P37/Kilo — Lee In the House deliberations on amending Republic Act No. 11023 or the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert “Wise” T. Lee has reiterated his call to restore the National Food Authority’s (NFA) power to buy palay from local farmers which would be sold at a cheaper price in the market for as low as P37 per kilo. According to Lee, if NFA were allowed to buy local palay and sell it to the public, it might result in P37 to P40 per kilo in the market, from the current P51 to P57 per kilo.  “Sa pag-amyenda ng RTL, dapat ibalik na ang mandato ng NFA na pagbili ng palay sa lokal na mga magsasaka, hindi lang para siguruhin ang kita ng ating local food producers, kundi para mapababa rin ang presyo ng bigas,” the Bicolano lawmaker said.  “Dapat may choice ang consumers, hindi yung napipilitan silang bumili ng mahal na bigas na napatungan na ng mga traders ang presyo. Kung maibabalik ang mandatong ito sa NFA, mapoprotektahan ang kabuhayan ng ating mga magsasaka at ma-e-engganyo silang pataasin ang produksyon. Mas makakamura sa NFA rice ang marami nating kababayan, kung saan ang matitipid na budget ay pwede nang magamit sa ibang pangangailangan, tulad sa panahon ng pagkakasakit,” he added.  The enactment of the RTL in 2019 prohibited the NFA from directly selling rice stocks to the market and limited its function to storing buffer stocks for calamities.    During the recent briefing at the House Committee on Agriculture and Food, the Department of Agriculture (DA) expressed its commitment to study the proposal to restore the NFA power to sell cheaper rice to the public.  The DA likewise proposed reallocation of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) as follows: 55% from 50% for farm machinery and equipment, retain 30% for Rice Seed Development, and 5% new allotment for the Soil Health Improvement, among others.  Lee, who filed House Resolution No. 1636 to scrutinize the impact of RCEF, welcomed these proposed amendments underscoring that the increased allocation for farm machinery and equipment to be implemented by the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) will greatly benefit the productivity of local rice farmers.  “Marami pa rin tayong mga magsasaka ang nangangailangan ng mga farm machinery and equipment. Nakuha na natin ang commitment ng DA nung budget deliberation last year na pabibilisin at sisimplehan nila ang requirements sa pamamahagi nito, kaya magandang ma-extend ang implementasyon ng RTL, siguruhin ang mas maayos na pagpapatupad nito para mas marami pa ang matulungan nating mga magsasaka—ang food security soldiers ng bansa,” Lee said.  While Lee recognizes the high utilization rate of the RCEF Mechanization Program, he pointed out that there must be a proactive effort in supporting potential beneficiaries who cannot comply with the requirements due to the lack of resources such as the capacity to construct warehouses.  “Sa pag-amyenda ng RTL, kaakibat ng distribusyon ng mga kagamitan, dapat mabigyan na rin ng budget ang PhilMech para mapondohan pati na ang pagpapagawa ng warehouses at storage areas, dahil talagang mahihirapan at kakapusin ang mga magsasaka sa pagpapatayo ng mga warehouse,” the solon said.  “Sa pagdiriwang ng Araw ng Paggawa, kinikilala natin ang napakahalagang ambag ng ating mga manggagawa, kabilang ang ating mga agricultural workers. Deserve nila ang mas maraming benepisyo, mas mabilis na serbisyo, at mas malaking kita. Kaya let us demand better.”  “Para sa ating mga magsasaka, dagdagan ang suporta sa paghahatid ng on time na ayuda, access sa mas murang farm inputs, post-harvest facilities, epektibong irigasyon tulad ng solar power irrigation at water impounding system, pati na ang pagbebenta ng produkto sa merkado nang hindi na kailangan pang dumaan sa mapagsamantalang mga middleman at traders. Kapag nagawa ito, siguradong mas mapapababa pa natin ang presyo ng bigas at iba pang agri products.”  “Sa masaganang pagsasaka, mas matutugunan nila ang kanilang mga pangangailangan at ang pagkakaloob ng sapat at abot-kayang pagkain hindi lang para sa pamilya, hindi lang para sa consumers, kundi pati na rin sa buong bansa, Winner Tayo Lahat,” 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, Support May 1, 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