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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PBBM's move to reduce PH's reliance on imports a boost to PH agri, says JV Ejercito

PBBM's move to reduce PH's reliance on imports a boost to PH agri, says JV Ejercito

Published Jul 11, 2022 02:20 pm

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s proposal to reduce the Philippines' reliance on imports will greatly boost the country's agricultural sector, Sen. Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito said on Monday.

Sen. JV Ejercito

As the principal sponsor of the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act and a staunch advocate for the protection of the agricultural sector, the senator said he firmly believes that the President's move to reduce the country's reliance on imports and crack down on agricultural smuggling "will protect our farmers and their produce, improve local agricultural productivity, and push down prices."

"The Philippines is currently facing an impending food crisis, aggravated by a deluge of agricultural products brought into the country through both lawful and unlawful means, as we struggle to recover from the crippling impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and our present economic woes," he said.

Ejercito said the government already has all the policies and mechanisms in place to curb the increasing inflation in the country, as well as respond to the disastrous effects of smuggling excessive imports.

"We are well-equipped to meet the challenge before us. We just need to fully implement them; President BBM is on the right track in doing just that," the returning lawmaker said.

To complement the Marcos administration's efforts at protecting the agricultural sector, Ejercito said he has filed a bill on the establishment of Agri-Food Terminal and Trading Centers in every province with the aim of promoting and boosting our local agricultural market.

The senator said passage of the bill into law will help increase opportunities for greater proceeds and earnings of the country's farmers.

"Complementary to this is our continuous call on the proper implementation of the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act," Ejercito said.

Last week, Marcos Jr. said his administration will not use importation as a means to stabilize prices in the local market.

The Chief Executive also said his administration is keen on increasing the production of rice and corn in the next two quarters, or until Christmas.

Related Tags

jv ejercito Marcos administration Food security agriculture PH agriculture
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