MANILA – The chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food on Monday commended President Rodrigo Duterte for the inclusion of agricultural development on his development and governance agenda as highlighted in the fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga, panel chair, said he was elated to hear about the PHP66-billion agriculture stimulus package, which outlines the various interventions of the government on the Philippine agriculture and fisheries sector in the aftermath of the coronavirus crisis.
“Actually, this package is contained in the approved house bill we vigorously defended in the plenary before its adjournment last month,” Enverga said. “Part of this congressional initiative also establishes mechanisms for rural agri-financing schemes.”
Enverga noted that the President also deserves to be recognized for his push for the “Plant, Plant, Plant” program in agriculture.
“Indeed, with improved infrastructure, we have to ensure our agri growth through production and marketing,” he said.
Enverga supported Duterte’s call for the passage of the Coconut Farmers Trust Fund bill to benefit farmers in the coconut industry.
He said his panel is set to approve the substitute bill on the coco levy funds, which proposes the management and utilization of the levy assets as a trust fund for the development of the industry.
“We assure the President that all his thoughts and guidance will be reflected in the House bill all for the welfare of the coconut farmers,” Enverga said. (PNA)
