AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee is prodding the House leadership to start deliberations on a proposal that would provide "rice allowance" to workers in the private sector.
"The rice allowance will help employees cope with the rising cost of goods, while farmers are given a sure market and guarantees that their crops will be bought at fair value,” said Lee in a statement Tuesday, Sept. 20
The Bicol lawmaker noted a similar allowance for public employees that was announced by no less than President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
“Huwag na natin hintayin na sabihin ng mga kababayan natin na ’Sana all.’ Talakayin po natin ang panukalang naglalayong itatag ang mga partership sa pagitan ng private sector at mga magsasaka para sa rice allowance ng mga empleyado nila (Let's not wait for our countrymen to say, 'Sana all.' Let's take up the proposal that aims to create a partnership between the private sector and our farmers in order to institutionalize a rice allowance for their employees)," Lee said
Lee had earlier filed House Bill (HB) No.1296, or An Act promoting corporative farming and providing incentives for its effective implementation, which aims to encourage "corporative farming".
Corporative farming is a portmanteau of corporate and cooperative farming.
The bill seeks to establish partnerships between farming organizations and communities with domestic corporations. Under such agreement, farming organizations would supply labor, expertise, and/or their landholdings, while private companies provide the necessary capital and guarantee the purchase of the harvest.
“Corporative farming allows us to implement a measure that benefits not only private sector employees, but also our farmers," said the pro-farmer legislator.
Under the bill, the corporations/partnerships that engage in corporative farming agreements shall be required to provide a minimum of 600 kilograms of rice/corn per employee per year or 50 kilograms per employee per month. Any excess produced would be sold to the National Food Administration (NFA) at prevailing market prices.
Companies that enter into corporative farming agreements shall be entitled to tax incentives covering all aspects of the operation related to corporative farming activities.
“This measure shows us that there is a solution to the rising cost of goods through collaboration among the public and private sectors and our farmers. I hope that we can pass this bill soon so that we can help not just government employees, but all employees," Lee said.