Presidential aspirant and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso promised to support and protect farmers and fishermen in the country to ensure that there is food on the table of every Filipino family should he win in the May 9 national elections.

During the launch of his 10-point Bilis Economic Agenda, he vowed to focus on agriculture in order to accelerate human and economic growth in the country.

Domagoso said that under his government, he will cut the excise tax of petroleum products by 50 percent to bring down the cost of food production -- especially rice, raise the income of farmers and fisherfolk, bring down the prices of basic commodities, and sustain food production.

He pointed out that the continuous increase in the cost of fuel had brought the price of fertilizer from P900 per bag just a year ago to more than P2,000 per bag at present.

“This will affect the cost of food production. Kawawa dito ‘yung mga magsasaka (Poor farmers will be affected). Pangalawa (Secondly), ‘yung (the) consumer. Then the price of basic commodities, especially ‘yung pagkain maaapektuhan ng fertilizer na ‘yan (especially the food will be affected by the fertilizer),” he said.

Domagoso explained that a 50 percent tax cut on electricity would mean that Filipinos can buy more food and have more money for their basic needs like medicines.

If elected president, Domagoso said he will buy the surplus produce of farmers at the right price to help them rise from poverty. He also said that he will issue clear guidelines on strict importation of agricultural products to ensure that local producers can sell their products first before importation is made.

He vowed to end the smuggling of agricultural products to protect the interests of local producers, and promised that no products will come into the country illegally and of inferior quality.

Domagoso assured that the fisherfolk will have the freedom to fish in the waters within the country’s territory, particularly in the West Philippine Sea.

He said he will assert the Hague ruling.

“And with regard to West Philippine Sea, it’s clear, nanalo tayo sa Hague (We won in Hague) . We will insist on it. Basta ang uulit-ulitin ko, ang garantiya ko sa mangingisdang Pilipino, makakapangisda kayo sa WPS, undeterred, safe, panatag. (I will keep on repeating the guarantee I give to Filipino fishermen, you can fish in WPS, undeterred, safe, undisturbed). And that we guarantee,” the 47-year-old presidential aspirant said. (Terence Ranis)