WOMEN'S MONTH. Senator Cynthia Villar receives a plaque of appreciation from City Mayor Bernard Faustino Dy for being guest speaker at the International Women's Month celebration in Cauayan City, Isabela on Friday, March 15, 2019. With her are Isabela Governor Faustino Dy III, Regional Development Council vice-chairperson Cecille Dy and Cauayan City Vice Mayor Leoncio Dalin Jr. (Photo by Villamor Visaya Jr.)
CITY OF CAUAYAN, Isabela -- Senator Cynthia Villar on Friday defended the Rice Tariffication Law anew, as she reminded of the government's assurance of a PHP10-billion appropriated annual agricultural fund to help ease the effects of World Trade Organization-governed importation on local production.
If the executive department reneges on its pledge to put up the fund, Villar said she would file a case against officials for non-performance of public duty.
The PHP10-billion fund, according to the senator, would benefit farmers as the taxes being earned from the tariffs and other taxes will be channeled to farm mechanization and other pro-farmer projects.
“The claim that the rice tariffication is disadvantageous is wrong. That is being peddled by people behind the rice cartels and smugglers,” she said.
Meanwhile, Villar encouraged women in this province to earn additional income for their family through livelihood projects and planting vegetables.
“Plant vegetables in your backyard. Earn extra income through livelihood projects, such as tending sari-sari stores and weaving, like making blankets out of water lilies,” she told some 6,000 women who joined the International Women’s Month celebration at the Francisco L. Dy Memorial Coliseum.
“Everything is possible for livelihood opportunities for women. Just find time to help your own family and earn money in a legal way. Do not just wait for the wages of your husband because it is sometimes not enough to feed the family,” the senator said. (PNA)
