Hermund

Amid Super Typhoon Carina

LEE OPENS AGRI HQ TO GIVE SHELTER TO STRANDED FAMILIES, LEADS FOOD DISTRIBUTION TO EVACUEES

 

Amid the onslaught of Typhoon Carina, Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee opened the headquarters of AGRI Party-list on Wednesday to provide shelter, food and medicines for stranded families.

 

As of writing, the headquarters situated at Araneta Avenue corner Quezon Avenue, is currently housing more than 170 families who were displaced due to heavy floods sweeping their areas.

 

Aside from the temporary shelter, Lee’s team also distributed food and medicines to residents of Barangays Little Baguio and Salapan in San Juan City and families and volunteers in evacuation centers in Manila and Quezon City.

 

Families who stayed in the headquarters expressed gratitude to have a temporary shelter.

 

"Nakakatuwa na may mga ganito. Kung tutuusin, pwede kaming nasa kalye lang ngayon. Yung Ondoy kasi, nakakatakot talaga yun. Kaya alam ko na ‘pag ganun na kalakas, lumilikas na ko,” Jovie from Brgy. Tatalon, Quezon City said.

Meanwhile, Hannah, also from Brgy. Tatalon, Quezon City, who stayed in the AGRI headquarters with her husband and 7-year-old son with asthma, said: “Naghahanap po talaga ako ng may kuryente kasi hinihika ang anak ko. Meron pa po naiwan sa’min pero madilim na kaya nag-stay po kami dito.” 

Regine from Brgy. Sto. Domingo, Quezon City shared that she and her family were forced to leave their residence because the flood already reached the second floor of their house, and all of them, including her father-in-law who had a stroke, needed to stay on the roof.

 

"Kalahati kami [sa pamilya namin] dito [AGRI HQ], kalahati nasa bahay. Naiwan dun yung asawa ko saka mga kapatid nya. [Nandito] mga anak ko saka maliliit na bata na kasama namin sa bahay, kasi yung biyenan ko hindi na maitawid [sa baha]… kasi parang dalawang patong ng tao ang taas," she said.

 

Earlier, Lee coordinated with the Primark Centers and Town Centers which also opened their doors to those who needed a place to stay, park their vehicles, and charge their gadgets. (Locations of Primark Centers can be accessed here: https://www.primark.com.ph/location)

Lee then renewed his call for the passage of House Bill No. 1298 or the “Essential Crop Insurance Act”, which seeks to make insurance for essential crops mandatory. This measure aims to compensate the loss in livelihood and give financial assistance to farmers affected by disasters, on top of the assistance provided by local government units (LGUs), the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). 

A staunch health advocate, Lee also warned the public of diseases that floods bring.

 

“Mag-ingat din po tayo sa paglusong sa baha, na pwede panggalingan ng mga sakit tulad ng typhoid fever, cholera, at leptospirosis. Sa mga nangangailangan po ng medical assistance, mag-message lang po sa aming Facebook messenger (https://www.facebook.com/CongressmanWilbertLee),” Lee said.

 

The lawmaker from Bicol urged LGUs to ramp up efficient flood and drainage projects and speed up their efforts in reaching out to areas which urgently need help.

“Seryosohin dapat natin ang mga proyektong tutugon sa malawakang pagbaha. May pondo ang gobyerno para dito, gamitin dapat ito para sa epektibong flood control. Kung iilan lang ang makikinabang sa budget para dito, talagang babaha ng perwisyo sa taumbayan,” he remarked.

Lee also thanked all the rescuers, volunteers and the media for their constant and steadfast service amid the typhoon. 

“Maraming salamat sa ating mga kawani ng gobyerno at volunteers na nag-rescue sa mga kababayan nating stranded at kinailangang lumikas, nag-aasikaso sa evacuation centers, pati na sa media, na sa kabila ng panganib na dala ng malakas na ulan at baha sa mga lansangan, patuloy ang serbisyo sa taumbayan,” he said. 

The solon further underscored the importance of cooperation between public and private sectors to improve the country’s disaster risk reduction and management and boost relief efforts in times of calamities.

“Filipinos deserve better so we should demand better. Hindi na bago sa atin ang bagyo kaya by now, hindi na katanggap-tanggap ang mabagal na pag-aksyon at paulit-ulit na problemang dulot ng mga kalamidad,” he stressed. 

“Kapag tuloy-tuloy ang ating bayanihan at malasakit sa isa’t isa, Winner Tayo Lahat. Whole-of-nation approach dapat ang gawin natin  para mabilis ang responde, mas malawak at mas mabilis ang nararating ng serbisyo, lalo na sa panahon ng sakuna at delubyo,” he added.

 

Due to Typhoon Carina, Metro Manila was placed under a state of calamity on July 24. ###

Reference: 

Hermund Rosales

09176246863

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HermE LEE RECOGNIZES AGRI ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN THIRD SONA, STRESSES NEED FOR EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION, POSITIVE IMPACT TO FARMERS, FISHERS

“Sa pagpasok ng ikatlong taon ng administrasyon, kailangan na nating makita ang tuloy-tuloy na implementasyon at resulta ng inisyatiba sa agrikultura.” 

This was stressed by Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee, who also acknowledged the highlight on agriculture, especially on boosting local production, discussed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday. 

Lee who has consistently emphasized that “supporting farmers is the best defense against inflation”, agreed with the Chief Executive that boosting local production is the antidote to the seemingly endless problem of rising prices of goods. 

“Maganda na sa simula pa lang, sinabi na ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na kahit lumalago ang ekonomiya, balewala ito kung hindi nararamdaman o umaabot sa sikmura ng ating mga kababayan,” Lee said.

“Natutuwa tayo na yung panawagan natin na palakasin ang local production ang naging panimula ng ating Pangulo sa kanyang third SONA. Patunay ito na naiintindihan ng Pangulo ang problema sa agrikultura at pinakikinggan ang daing ngayon ng ating mga kababayan,” he added. 

The Bicolano lawmaker also pointed out some portions that need improvement to protect the livelihood of farmers and fishermen whom he considers as “food security soldiers”. 

Citing his proposed House Bill (HB) No. 3957 or the “Kadiwa Agri-Food Terminal Act,” Lee said that the President could have included this in his priority measures for the upcoming Third Regular Session of Congress. 

“Nabanggit ng Pangulo yung layunin niya na gawing permanente na ang mga Kadiwa centers. Ito yung mismong isinusulong natin sa ating panukalang Kadiwa Law. Kapag naisabatas ito, mapopondohan at mapalalawak ang mga Kadiwa centers para sinuman ang maging Presidente, tuloy-tuloy ito. Mas maraming Kadiwa, mas maraming murang pagkain,” he said. 

The solon from Bicol further said that the current state of rice prices is a crucial point that needs improvement. This, according to him, can be resolved by his proposed HB 9020 or “Cheaper Rice Act” which will ensure the income of local farmers and lower price of rice.

Lee added: “Sa isinusulong natin na pag-amyenda sa Rice Tariffication Law, itinutulak din natin na maibalik na sa National Food Authority (NFA) ang mandato na pagbili ng palay sa lokal na magsasaka na hindi lang para sa buffer stock.” 

He also called for the review of the implementation of Executive Order No. 62, which lowers the rice tariff from 35% to 15%, saying "binabaan natin ang taripa pero hindi pa rin nararamdaman ang pagmura ng bigas. Para sa akin, dapat i-review ito, tingnan at siguraduhin na maramdaman ng ating mga kababayan itong pagbaba ng presyo ng bigas." 

"Tulad ng nasabi ko dito, dapat ito ay short-term solution lang. Pwede itong i-review kada ilang buwan o taon kung epektibo, hindi yung pangmatagalan, dahil sa huli, ang mga lokal na magsasaka ang kawawa dito,” he remarked.

A staunch agriculture advocate, Lee also mentioned his commitment to cooperate with National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Administrator Eduardo “Eddie” Guillen to optimize irrigation system in the country. 

Lee also stressed the need to put more attention on the fishing industry which has a huge potential to create more jobs and livelihood. 

Moreover, the lawmaker who principally authored the amendment to Anti-Agri Smuggling Law to impose stricter penalty on agri-smugglers, hoarders, price manipulators, cartel and public officials or employees who take part in crime, lauded the conviction of the President on making agri-smugglers accountable for their actions. 

“Kay Presidente na nanggaling na ‘we mean serious business’ pagdating sa agri-smuggling. Para sa atin, talagang dapat masampolan na ang mga kriminal na ito!” Lee said.

He also lauded PBBM’s report on distributing thousands of agri machineries to farmers and their cooperatives. But for him, this should immediately go to the beneficiaries saying, “Dapat mabilis na maipagkaloob sa mga kooperatiba ang mga farm equipment nang hindi na pahirapan ang mga requirements.” 

“We must liberalize, streamline or simplify requirements to facilitate the distribution of post-harvest facilities and provide financial services that will help farmers and fisherfolk to develop their livelihood and increase their production,” Lee said. 

Despite the evident need for more concrete actions for farmers and fishermen, Lee recognized that the current administration is in the right direction when it comes to agriculture. 

“Malayo na pero malayo pa. Kudos sa BBM administration sa pagpapasimula ng tamang direksyon para sa agrikultura. Sa pangatlong taon ng administrasyon, dapat sukatin na kung hanggang saan na ang narating natin at ang mga dapat pa nating abutin,” he said. 

“Araw-araw, dapat nating tutukan ang state of the nation, lalo na ang estado ng mga nangangailangan nating kababayan, kabilang na ang mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Filipinos deserve better and we should demand better, at dapat Winner Tayo Lahat,” he said. ###

Reference:

Hermund Rosales

09176246863

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HermE As New Agrarian Emancipation Act boosts farmers’ productivity, Lee hopes for more game-changer measures for Agri included in 3rd SONA

A year after the enactment of Republic Act No. 11953 or the “New Agrarian Emancipation Act” which frees 610,054 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) from debt, including interests, penalties, and surcharges incurred, the law’s principal author, Cong. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee, highlighted how the legislation drastically changed the lives of the beneficiaries. 

Ahead of the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Manoy’s team spoke to several ARBs in Bulacan and Nueva Ecija to know how the law, enacted on July 7, 2023, helped their lives.

The said ARBs said it gave them peace of mind as they no longer needed to pay for their loans. The law likewise gave them an opportunity to improve their lives.

Gilbert Miranda, a 48-year-old farmer from Bulacan, shared that he was freed from his loan amounting to P300,000 and was able to concentrate on farming which led to a higher yield.

“Noon, dahil gipit sa pataba, umaani lang kami ng 60 cavans per hectare. Ngayon, nadagdagan ang pambili namin ng pataba, insecticide, nagkaroon ng improvement ang aming pagsasaka. Umaani na kami ng halos 100 [cavans] per hectare,” Miranda said.

Thanking Lee, Miranda further said: “Pinasasalamatan ko nga si Manoy Wilbert Lee dahil pinush niya itong batas na ito para makatulong sa aming mga magsasaka.” 

For Arlene Perez who started farming at a young age, the law paved the way to solve their family’s P2-million-loan.

“Umaabot sa limang ektarya ang lupang sinasaka ng pamilya namin. Siguro aabot ng P2 milyon ang utang na babayaran namin kaya napakalaking halaga talaga,” she said.

Due to the measure, Arlene’s family was able to concentrate more on livelihood and health.

“Napakalaking tulong po nito sa amin. Nagkaroon po kami ng malaking kita. Dahil dito, magagamit namin ang kita namin... sa mga supply na kailangan namin sa pagtatanim, mga abono at saka mga insecticides. Iyon po ay ilan sa mga hindi na namin iniintindi,” the Bulacan farmer said.

“Nagkaka-edad na rin kami, kaya gamit yung ibang kita, nabibigyan na namin ng pansin ngayon ang aming kalusugan kasi nakakapagpa-check up na kami, napaglalaanan na namin ‘yung mga pangangailangan namin sa kalusugan,” she added.

Other ARBs allotted the income they were supposed to use for their loans to the education of their children.

For instance, 51-year-old Michael Villanueva who has been farming for 20 years got freed from his P350,000-peso debt. According to him, the lighter load brought about by being condoned helped the education of his children who are now working.

“Tulong po ito sa pag-aaral ng aking mga anak. Awa ng Diyos, nakatapos na lahat, nagtatrabaho na rin po,” Villanueva said.

He also thanked Lee for spearheading RA 11953 saying, “Lahat ng mga inabutan ng condonation na ito, nabigyan ng benepisyo. Nagkaroon ng malaking biyaya na hindi na magbigay sa Landbank at ang kaunting pera na iyon ay maipon para sa kanilang panggastos at pagtatanim ng palay,” he added. 

For Nueva Ecija farmer Lea Eugenio, the said measure helped her to buy fertilizers. 

“Hindi na kami uutang para lang makabili ng abono,” she shared. 

This was echoed by Edgardo de Dios who has been farming for four decades, saying “Iyon pong imbes na ibabayad namin [sa utang], nagamit namin na puhunan sa aming pagsasaka lalo na sa pagpapaunlad at pagpapalaki ng ani.”

Lee welcomed this development in the lives of the farmers whom he considers “food security soldiers,” but noted that more has to be done to ensure their productivity and growth in the agriculture sector, which will also help in addressing inflation. 

“Supporting farmers is the best defense against inflation. Food inflation ang main contributor sa pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin. Kapag nag-invest tayo sa dagdag na suporta sa ating magsasaka, tataas ang lokal na produksyon, hindi na tayo masyadong aasa sa importation, bababa ang presyo ng pagkain at iba pang bilihin, gagaan ang pasanin ng ating mga kababayan, Winner Tayo Lahat” the solon from Bicol said. 

“Filipinos deserve better so we should demand more from the government. Tulad ng pagpasa sa New Agrarian Emancipation Act, umaasa tayong maisasama rin sa SONA ng Pangulo at sa mga prayoridad ng gobyernong ipatupad ang mga panukalang makatutulong sa mga magsasaka at sa buong sektor ng agrikultura, tulad ng isinusulong natin na Kadiwa Law, dagdag na post-harvest facilities, farm equipment at mechanization,” Lee remarked.

Lee is the principal author of House Bill (HB) No. 3957 or the “Kadiwa Agri-Food Terminal Act”, which mandates the establishment of Kadiwa centers in every city and municipality. 

He is also the principal author of HB 3958 or the "Post-Harvest Facilities Support Act", which mandates the government to fund the construction of warehouses, cold storages, rice mills, transport facilities, dryers and threshers, among others.

Lee also principally authored RA 11985 or the “Philippine Salt Industry Development Act”, which is expected to generate 5,000 to 10,000 jobs, especially in rural areas. ### 

Reference: 

Hermund Rosales

09176246863