July 29, 2024

 

Philippines' farmers urge President Marcos to emphasise local agriculture amid import concerns

Farmers' groups have called on Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr to declare a policy focusing on local production in his upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA), amid an influx of imported agricultural products, The Philippine Star reported.

 

Elias Jose Inciong, president of the United Broiler Raisers Association (UBRA), urged Marcos to enforce laws promoting the country's agriculture sector, particularly Republic Act 8435 or the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernisation Act (AFMA).

 

"He needs to reiterate his policy emphasis on local production and back it up with budgetary support, including the approval of the tier 2 requests of the Department of Agriculture (DA)," Inciong said.

 

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr is advocating for a PHP 513 billion (US$8.7 billion) budget for 2025. Inciong also called on Marcos to prioritise bills on livestock development.

 

Gregorio San Diego, chairman emeritus of the Philippine Egg Board Association, expressed hope that the government would fulfil its promise of local food production.

 

Former Agriculture Secretary Leonardo Montemayor highlighted the need for Marcos to clarify during his third SONA whether local farm production remains a priority, given the recent approval of Executive Order 62 on reduced tariffs. Montemayor pointed out that Marcos had pledged to prioritise food production during his oath on June 30, 2022, a promise he has yet to fulfil.

 

EO 62, effective July 7, extends tariff reductions on imported food until the end of December 2028, a move Montemayor described as painful for the sector. Farmers' groups have petitioned the Supreme Court to halt EO 62's implementation, questioning its constitutionality.

 

Montemayor also noted that agricultural growth has failed to keep pace with the country's increasing population. He emphasised that growth in the agriculture sector requires more government budget allocation.

 

"For so many years, the local agriculture sector was neglected. While the budget (of the DA) increased significantly in President Marcos's first year in 2023, it has since declined. We hope it will increase by 2025," he said.

 

Montemayor added that the proposed PHP 513 billion (US$8.7 billion) budget would more than double the DA's current 2024 allocation. He stressed the importance of sufficient irrigation funding, additional big dams, and water impounding projects to ensure farmers have water sources during the dry season.

 

-      The Philippine Star