Barbers fully supports gov’t program to use organic fertilizers
REP. Robert Ace Barbers fully supports the government’s program to utilize the use of organic fertilizers in the country to boost production of agricultural products, particularly palay.
The Surigao del Norte, 2nd District congressman said composting and the use of organic fertilizers are better agriculture practices for the protection of the soil and will reduce nutrients in the soil, resulting in at least 38-percent degradation.
Barbers, anti-crime advocate, vows to support the House’s commitment to prioritize the passage of proposed amendments to the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act.
The solon, a close ally of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., said that the menace of agricultural smuggling and hoarding has plunged the country into economic turmoil, exacerbating the suffering of the impoverished.
He said it is high time for a decisive action to happen since many of the Filipinos are suffering from the continued rise of basic commodities, such as rice.
Barbers said he will lead the dismantling of the syndicate and cartels that hoard rice and agriculture products.
The solon from Mindanao likewise fully supports the President to continue to head the Department of Agriculture, saying the most that he can do is to designate a trusted person that could serve as his number one lieutenant at the DA.
Having this person on hand will hasten the implementation of the President’s directives while he tends to his other pressing duties,” the veteran solon explained.
Marcos has held the title of concurrent DA secretary since he first assumed the Palace seat on June 30, 2022. He personally chose the portfolio at a time when there was thought to be a looming food shortage in the country.
“President Marcos, in my opinion, has done a great job as agriculture secretary. He has nearly achieved his promise of reducing prices of rice to P20 per kilo, as Kadiwa stores now sell rice for as low as P25 per kilo. Through the action of Speaker Martin Romualdez and the House of Representatives, the government was able to address the runaway prices of onions late last year by unmasking the alleged members of the cartel,” Barbers said.
As part of the government’s efforts to entice local farmers to practice organic agriculture, the Republic Act No. 10068 or the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 was passed to establish “a comprehensive program for the promotion of community-based organic agriculture systems” and the “adoption of organic agriculture as a viable alternative.”
