DA must boost agri production via ‘wise’ budget spending
AS prices of agricultural products such as onions remain high, a lawmaker on Friday underscored the importance of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) “efficient’ budget spending to address this perennial issue.
The Agriculture sector received P174 billion for 2023 – a 20.2% increase from its P144.8 billion budget last year.
“From this huge increase, we expect nothing less than improved services for farmers and fisherfolk, and for the agency to finally address long-standing problems in the agriculture sector,” AGRI Party-list Representative Wilbert T. Lee said.
“Kasama dito ang tulong para sa low production cost sa pamamagitan ng access sa murang abono at pesticides, farm equipment, gumaganang irigasyon at dagdag na post-harvest facilities tulad ng cold storage at transport facilities para maiwasan ang maraming nasasayang lalo na sa panahon ng kalamidad,” he added.
According to Lee, P16.89 billion was allocated this year for post-harvest facilities and services, which is 40.6% higher than the previous year.
“Kung magagamit ang mas malaking pondong ito para tulungan ang agri workers na mapataas ang kanilang produksyon, hindi basta-basta kukulangin ng supply na dahilan ng pagtaas ng presyo sa merkado,” the lawmaker from Sorsogon said.
Last December 28, 2022, it was reported that prices of red onions soared to P720 per kilo, which is seven times more expensive than the P100 per kilo in June of the same year, as monitored by the DA.
Meanwhile, local white onions were sold for as high as P600 per kilo.
The skyrocketing prices of agricultural products are attributed to low domestic production due to increasing production costs, lack of post-harvest facilities, and alleged agri smuggling.
Earlier, Lee expressed his full support to House Ways and Means Committee Chair and Albay Rep. Joey Salceda’s remarks that Congress, through an independent panel, will fight agri smugglers.
“Sa pamumuhunan ng gobyerno sa mga programa at serbisyong totoong nagbubunga ng benepisyo at mas malaking produksyon ng mga magsasaka at mangingisda, makikinabang din ang consumer at buong bansa—Winner Tayo Lahat,” Lee said.
