Ex-VP Binay: Gov’t agencies should help transport locally-grown fruits, vegetables

By: Dennis Gutierrez - 3 years ago

A resident of Dreamland Village in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan hugs former Vice President and senatorial bet Jejomar Binay upon his arrival. Dreamland is a resettlement site built by the city government of Makati during Binay’s term as mayor in partnership with Gawad Kalinga (GK).

MANILA, Philippines — Former vice president and senatorial aspirant Jejomar Binay on Monday urged government agencies to help fruit and vegetable farmers by transporting locally-grown produce to markets.

“This would be another form of subsidy. When government agencies not only buy direct from farmers but also help bring locally-grown fruits and vegetables to the markets, it increases the farmers’ income by eliminating the need for middlemen,” Binay said.

“It’s also one way of keeping prices stable,” he added.

The former vice president also said government should include fruit and vegetable farmers in its fuel subsidy program.

The government has set aside P1.1 billion as fuel subsidy to help farmers cope with rising fuel prices, but the subsidy is limited to corn farmers and fisherfolks using motorized bancas.

“Fruit and vegetable farmers have to shoulder higher fuel costs for transporting their products. Sila rin ay umaaray sa taas ng presyo ng gasolina, ngunit hindi sila makapagtaas ng presyo ng produkto nila,” he said.

“Ilan lang ito sa mga paraan para matulungan ang ating mga magsasaka at tiyakin na abot-kaya ang presyo ng pagkain para lahat,” he added.

Binay earlier asked government to develop alternative and indigenous sources of fertilizers.

Fertilizer prices are expected to rise as economic sanctions imposed on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine include ammonia, processed phosphates, and urea.

Binay said the sanctions would push the prices of locally-grown fruits and vegetables higher.