League of provinces panel convenes to discuss rice production, farmers’ income
Isabela Governor Rodito Albano III / League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) photo
MANILA, Philippines — Aiming to improve the rice production outputs and farmers’ income, representatives of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) has held a board meeting.
In a statement on Monday, LPP said that its committee on food and agriculture chairperson Isabela Governor Rodito Albano III met with 31 other local chief executives of rice-producing provinces to tackle the issues surrounding rice production.
One of the concerns raised during the meeting is the need for data on local rice stocks to support the national government’s programs, ensure an adequate supply of the country’s staple, and secure farmers’ livelihood and income.
The activity also allowed the representatives to share local practices toward increasing productivity, the well-being of farmers, and their income.
Albano noted that the meeting was just the first in its series to enable the league to discuss issues and concerns in the agriculture sector.
Moreover, the committee chairperson stressed that it is their way “to influence the national programs and policies to make it responsive to local situations on the ground.”
The board meeting was attended by governors of different provinces in the country, including LPP chairman and Quirino Gov. Dax Cua, LPP executive vice president and Tarlac Gov. Susan Yap, Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba, Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Carlos Padilla, Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., Leyte Gov. Carlos Jericho Petilla, and Bukidnon Gov. Rogelio Neil Roque.
Executives from government-affiliated agencies were also present, including the administrators of National Food Authority and National Irrigation Administration Atty. Judy Carol Dansal and Benny Antiporda, respectively. — Christian Paul Dela Cruz, INQUIRER.net trainee
