SAMAHAN ng Industriya ng Agrikutura (SINAG) partylist Rep. Rosendo So has endorsed Camille Villar’s senatorial bid, saying her continuous support in improving agriculture is vital for the farming sector.

Campaigning in several towns in Pangasinan on Thursday, Camille Villar vowed to support more measures that would revitalize agriculture and livestock industry.

Rep. So cited Camille has concern for the welfare of farmers, and poultry and livestock raisers — just like her parents, former Senate President Manny Villar and Sen. Cynthia Villar.

Rep. So credited to the Villars the approval last year of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Law or the Republic Act 12022, which classifies agricultural smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and engaging in cartels as acts of economic sabotage.

“For the past years kasi, ang farming sector, pag may kailangan, hindi lang ang nanay niya, si Senator Cynthia Villar ang pinupuntahan, pati si Camille. Ang batas kasi kailangan i-daan sa Kongreso at sa Senado. Talagang very supportive si Camille pagdating sa agriculture, lalo na pagnakaupo na siya sa Senado,” So said in a media interview.

Camille Villar vowed to support bills such as the creation of a Livestock, Poultry and Dairy Competitiveness Enhancement Fund.

The measure is similar to the multibillion rice fund or the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund.

Last August, the Senate approved on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 2558, known as the Act Strengthening Livestock, Poultry, and Dairy Industry Development and Competitiveness, Rationalizing the Organization and Functions of Relevant Government Agencies, and Creating a Competitiveness Enhancement Fund.

A similar measure has yet to hurdle the approval processes at the House of Representatives.

MILLENNIAL VOTE: PANGASINAN SUPPORTS VILLAR’S SENATORIAL BID

Local mayors and officials from several towns in Pangasinan endorsed the senatorial bid of Villar during her campaign sorties this week.

Sison town Mayor Danny Uy, and mayoralty candidate, Danny Myrna Bell Uy, SINAG President Rosendo So, and board members, Louie Sison and Isong Basco, were among those who threw their support for Camille Villar before a big crowd of supporters, local residents, farmers, senior citizens, teachers and farmers, members of the various civil society organizations last Thursday.

In her speech, Camille Villar thanked Uy, So and the local officials for their outpouring support. She vowed to pursue more projects and legislation that will help the agriculture, poultry and livestock industries.

In Villasis, Camille Villar was also all smiles for the support of Mayor Nato Abrenica note of her vast experience in public service and impressive background in the corporate world.

“Kung na sa’yo na ang lahat, ano ang gagawin mo? I-share mo na. Naniniwala ako na si Sen. Camille, kagaya ng kapatid niya, kagaya ng mga magulang niya, siya ay tutulong sa ating mga mamamayan,” Abrenica said.

Abrenica believes Camille Villar is fit to become a senator, learning the discipline, perseverance, and hardwork from her parents, Senate President Manny Villar and Senator Cynthia Villar, and brother, Senator Mark Villar.

“Siya po ay Deputy Speaker of the House (of Representatives). Bilang isang negosyante at isang politiko…nararapat po na siya ay ating tulungan para sa pagdating ng panahon, siya na po ang tutulong sa atin,” Abrenica added.

Mayor Dickerson Villar, of Sto. Tomas town, and Pozorrubio Mayor Kevin Tan also pledged support for Camille Villar during the sorties in the province earlier this week.

Earlier in San Carlos City, Pangasinan Gov. Ramon Juico III and local officials also threw their full support for Camille Villar’s senatorial run this May elections.

In all her sorties, Camille Villar outlined her platforms in helping boost agriculture and farming, improve housing and health services, and advance the welfare of women, youth and senior citizens.

Villar falls in love with exceptional taste of PH mangoes in San Carlos, Pangasinan

Nacionalista Party’s senatorial candidate, Camille Villar on Wednesday underscored the need to support the country’s mango farming industry during her visit in San Carlos, Pangasinan.

She cited the Philippines’ competitiveness in mango production globally.

Villar also thanked San Carlos City Mayor Julier “Ayo” Resuello and board member Vici Ventanilla (3rd district, Pangasinan) and the rest of the people of San Carlos for inviting her to join the Mango-Bamboo Festival held along Rizal Avenue, San Carlos City.

Citing her cravings for Philippine mangoes, Camille Villar noted that mangoes is second most consumed product in the world at 28 percent, next to bananas (29.4 percent). The Philippines ranked number 10 in terms of mango production around the world.

“Ang mangga po ang ‘second largest most used fruit in the world’ kaya’t nakaka-proud po na itoang isinusulong na industriya ninyo dito sa San Carlos,” she said in a brief speech after tasting various mango fruits and delicacies in the city.

“Nasisiguro po natin na bukod sa makakapagbigay sa ating ng pagkain ay tiyak po na ito rin ay bubuhay at magpapaangat ng buhay ng ating mga kababayan,” Villar added.

With mango categorized in the world as one of the mostly grown tropical fruit, Camille Villar also lauded the city government led by Mayor Resuello for prioritizing the cultivation of mango for commercial fruit productuon.

Camille Villar said she has learned from her parents, former Senate President Manny Villar and Senate Agriculture committee chairperson Cynthia Villar, the need to boost agriculture outputs to improve farm production in the country.

She also learned from Senator Cynthia Villar that the Philippines ranks 10th in mango production around the world.

“Bukod po diyan ay ibang klase ang tamis ng ating Philippine mangoes, at meron pa nga po tayong tinatawag na ating carabao mangoes kaya’t dahil nga po diyan ay todo-suporta po (tayo) sa paggawa ng polisiya na magpapataasng ani at kalidad ng mangga sapamamagitan ng pagsuporta sa ‘High Value Crops Development’ program ng Department of Agriculture,” Villar added.

As such, Camille Villar said she supports efforts to improve further the mango industry in terms of enhancing orchard management and enhancing fruit processing through technology advancement.

She referred also to the need to boost the country’s mango fruit processing technology that involves various techniques to preserve and enhance the quality of mangoes, making them available for consumption throughout the year.

“Kitang-kita po natin na napakalaki ng potensyal ng industriyang ito at marami pa po tayong pwedeng gawin, marami pa po tayong magagawa para magtuloy-tuloy ang pag-improve ng industriya ng mangga lalo na dito sa San Carlos para po magkaroon ng karagdagang kaalaman sa produksyon, sa orchard management, maaring sa technology ng processing para lalo pa pong tumaas ang yield at production ng ating mga mango producers,” she said.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ryan Ponce Pacpaco