MANILA, Philippines — Senator Francis Pangilinan on Wednesday urged local government units in Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, and nearby provinces to continue buying produce from farmers following reports of oversupply.
“Hinihimok natin ang mga LGUs sa Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, at mga karatig-probinsya na bilhin ang mga sobrang ani ng ating mga magsasaka. Sa ilalim ng Sagip Saka Law, hindi kailangang dumaan sa mabusisi at matagal na proseso ng procurement ang pagbili sa kanilang ani,” Pangilinan said in a statement.
(We urge LGUs in Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, and nearby provinces to buy the surplus produce of farmers. Under the Sagip Saka Law, the process of procurement of harvest from farmers should not be that complicated and long.)
Pangilinan, a former Presidential Adviser on Food Security and Agricultural Modernization during the time of former President Noynoy Aquino, cited reports that some farmers in Nueva Vizcaya and Ifugao were forced to dump tons of ripe tomatoes on roadsides due to oversupply and low market prices.
“Nakakalungkot at nakakaalarma ito dahil hirap na nga ang mga magsasaka bago pa ang pandemya, nababawasan pa ang kanilang kita,” said the senator.
(This is saddening and alarming, because even before the pandemic, farmers were already suffering from low farmgate prices of their produce, more so now that their incomes have dwindled.)
Pangilinan said farmers need aid in setting up storage and post-harvest facilities and in developing skills in preserving and bottling their produce, as well as in securing buyers for their harvest.
Citing data from Agriculture Secretary William Dar, Pangilinan said over P2 billion worth of vegetables and fruits were bought by LGUs from farmers during the enhanced community quarantine. He noted that these were later incorporated in relief goods given to their constituents.
“Kailangang magpatuloy ito at masigurong may tiyak na bibili ng ani ng ating mga magsasaka,” said Pangilinan.
(This should continue and there should be assurance that there will be buyers of the harvest of farmers.)
Pangilinan added that his office is continuously coordinating with farmers and cooperatives to deal with the problem.
He urged the public to contact his office at 09171232882 to report similar cases of oversupply.