Bishops call on gov’t to help PH agri sector


(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

Church leaders are calling on the government to provide the necessary assistance to the country’s agricultural sector.

San Jose Nueva Ecija Bishop Roberto Mallari said the country’s agricultural workers badly need help from the government to help address the crisis being experienced by the food industry including the rising cost of onions, eggs and rice among others.

“Let us pray for our country. Let us all look at this crisis as an opportunity to recognize the important role played by our farmers and agricultural workers. It is also an opportunity for the government to strengthen the Department of Agriculture by providing the necessary assistance to our farmers as well as an opportunity for all of us to unite in doing what is best for our country,” said Bishop Mallari over Radio Veritas.

For his part, San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza said the rising cost of basic food products is an indication that the agricultural sector needs help.

Bishop Alminaza believes that importation is not the solution to the lack of food items in the country.

“We have to listen more to the problems faced by agricultural workers as well as to the problems encountered by the other sectors in order to help improve their situation,” the Church leader said

The bishop likewise called on the faithful to continue to pray for the country with the continuous rise in the prices of basic commodities.