Benhur Abalos (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

With the country’s food security foremost on his mind, administration senatorial candidate Benhur Abalos has proposed providing incentives to discourage farmers from selling their lands.

During a recent trip to Legazpi, Albay, Abalos engaged local officials in a discussion on critical issues including the need for a comprehensive land use plan.

“These incentives, combined with a strong land use plan, will safeguard our agricultural sector and ensure that the country remains food-secure in the long run,” said Abalos, a member of the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial ticket.

Abalos underscored the importance of local governments’ comprehensive land use plans that not only safeguard farmlands but also provide much-needed assistance to those who depend on them for their livelihood.

“We have to remember ang lifeline natin ay ang ating food security and food sustainability. Lahat tayo nagreklamo tungkol sa mga gulay, tungkol sa mga presyo na bilihin, ng pagkain. Pero kung hindi natin naaalagaan ang ating mga sakahan baka mag-subdivision lahat yan,” said the former Department of the Interiorand Local Government (DILG) secretary.

(We have to remember that our lifeline is anchored on our food security and food sustainability. We have all complained about vegetables, the prices of goods, of food. But of we don't look after our farmlands, they might suddenly become subdivisions.)

Abalos proposed a range of measures to help farmers sustain and enhance their agricultural efforts. Among these were property tax breaks for landowners, more comprehensive crop insurance plans, and low or no-interest loans to aid farming operations. He also urged both national and local governments to procure directly from farmers, ensuring stable demand and fair prices for their produce.

He underscored that offering these incentives would encourage landowners to maintain their farmlands and contribute to the country’s overall food stability.

“Infrastructure support should be directed at farmers, and incentives should be given to those who own agricultural lands,” he said.

Abalos also added the importance of providing much-needed support for the children of farmers.

“For the farmers, kaya naman sila napipilitang magbenta ng lupang sakahan ay para sa mga anak nila (Farmers are forced to sell their lands for the sake of their children),” he said.

Abalos suggested prioritizing farmers’ children for admission into state universities and technical-vocational schools, along with extending financial aid or allowances to ease their educational expenses. This support would help farming families maintain their livelihoods without the constant strain of financial burdens.

Abalos had earlier warned that without a national policy to manage land use, the steady decline in agricultural areas could worsen food inflation and compromise national food supply.

He vowed to champion the passage into law of the long-overdue National Land Use Act, saying food sustainability the lifeline of the nation and its immediate enactment is critical to securing the country’s future.