The Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines, Inc. or Agap Partylist has filed its certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA) for the May 2022 elections on Friday, Oct. 1.
Among its nominees are former lawmaker Nicanor Briones and Quezon City Councilor Lala Sotto, who is the daughter of Senate President and vice presidential hopeful Tito Sotto.
Briones said Agap promotes the welfare of farmers, as well as oppose smuggling and over importation of agricultural products.
The partylist is also seeking to increase the budget of the Department of Agriculture to help farmers, and vowed to help farmers’ cooperatives in the regions, he added.
“Sana tangkilikin natin ang local na produksyon ng mga magsasaka sapagkat mas masara, mas malinis, ang sariwa, at bawat kilong nabibili ang natutulungan ay bawat Pilipinong manggagawa (I hope we can enjoy the local production of the farmers because it is tastier, cleaner, fresher, and every kilo we buy helps every Filipino worker),” Briones said.
For her part, Sotto prides herself with 18 years of experience in government service, and bannered that her father authored the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Code of the Philippines.
“Naniniwala ako na panahon na para bigyan natin ng importansya suporta ang ating mga magsasaka, mangingisda, sector ng agrikultura sapagkat naniniwala ako na ang agrikultura ang napakalaking tulong at ambag sa ekonomiya ng ating bansa (I believe it is time for us to give importance and to support our farmers, fishermen, and the agricultural sector because I believe that agriculture is a huge help and contribution to our country's economy),” Sotto said.
She also vowed to ensure food security and food safety to address hunger.