Senatorial candidate Bam Aquino wants Filipinos to be more self-reliant amid the South China Sea issue, advocating for increased support for local farmers, fisherfolk, and market vendors to strengthen the local food production.
Senatorial candidate Bam Aquino speaks to longganisa makers during a visit in Alaminos, Pangasinan. (Bam Aquino Media Bureau)
During a visit to Alaminos, Pangasinan on Monday, March 24, the former official called for more government aid to local food producers, such as farmers, fishermen, and vendors in the rural areas, to ensure there would be enough food supply in the country if the heightened tensions in the South China Sea affects the entry of imported food products.
“Para sa akin, kapag hindi mo pangangalagaan ang local producers, doon ka lang sa imported, pag iyong China, ginalaw tayo, ang gagawin nila iba-block nila iyong shipping lane (For me, if you don’t take care of local producers, if you rely on the imported, China can block the shipping lane),” he told longganisa makers and hog raisers in Alaminos.
“Kapag binlock nila ang shipping lane, walang papasok na pagkain dito. Hindi naman ganun kadaling magpalaki ng baboy, baka, at manok. Maghahabol tayo niyan. Habang naghahabol tayo, magugutom ang tao, tataas ang presyo (Once the shipping lane is blocked, no food can enter. It’s not that easy to raise pigs, cows, and chicken. While we are going to catch up, people will be hungry, prices will increase),” he added.
To prepare for any possibility that China will decide to block the shipping lane and thus affect the importation of food products, especially agricultural products, Aquino underscored the need to strengthen the local food production so the Philippines will not be reliant on imported food.
He also said that this would ensure the bulk of the food items Filipinos need are being produced locally.
“Siguro may konting pinapapasok na imported para may competition, pero dapat iyong bulto gawa rito para mapakain natin ang mga sarili natin (There should be a few imported for competition but the bulk should be produced here so we can be self-reliant),” the former senator stressed.
He told longganisa makers that a significant boost in the local production of pork meat will also lower the production cost of processed foods such as longganisa, a popular Alaminos product.
This will address their rising concerns about the low revenues of longganisa-making lately because of the high cost of pork meat.
Aside from pushing for free college education and guaranteed jobs, Aquino also wants tax relief and other government subsidies for small businesses.
The former senator was the principal author and sponsor of the Go Negosyo Act, which aids small and medium enterprises through access to funding, market, and mentorship programs.
He was also chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Entrepreneurship during the 16th Congress.