AGRI party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee has urged the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) to efficiently use its budget to address the lack of farm equipment and curb soaring food prices.
“In my travels around the country, I discovered that the main problem of the farmers and the cooperatives was lack of farm equipment.” Lee recalled.
During the budget briefing, Lee asked for PhilMech director Dr. Dionisio Alvindia’s commitment to finish their pending deliverables and provide more support to post-harvest facilities before the end of this year, to which the latter agreed and committed to implement.
“I would like to ask for a strong commitment from the PhilMech director to deliver these services so that we will know it the funds were delivered to the farmers and the fishermen,” Lee. Said.
Alvindia replied in the affirmative.
“Our farmers and fisherfolk are our food security soldiers in our war against hunger. How can they fight if they have no ammunition? It’s a big sin to delay the release of the billions of pesos that was supposed to be given to the farmers and fishermen,” Lee said.
Lee filed House Bill No. 3958 or the “Post-Harvest Facilities Support Act” compelling the government to construct and provide post-harvest facilities across the country, especially in agricultural areas, to lower post-harvest production losses and increase the income of agriculture workers.
