Modernization of agriculture in PH long overdue, says JV Ejercito
February 13, 2023
Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Monday
lamented the slow pace of the country’s agricultural modernization program,
which has prevented local agricultural goods from competing effectively with
imported goods.
“Long overdue na yung mechanization, yung
modernization ng sektor ng agrikultura [...] Kung gusto nating mapatupad ito,
dahil kailangan nating makacompete, we really have to modernize. Kasi di tayo
makakalaban sa presyo ng ibang bansa kung di tayo magmemechanize at
magmomodernize ng ating farming methods,” he said in an interview.
Ejercito cited the failure of agriculture
officials to fully implement the sugarcane farm mechanization programs created
under Republic Act No. 10659 or the Sugarcane Industry Development Act, which
he principally authored during his first term in the Senate.
He said the law requires the national
government to allot P2 billion annually for the mechanization of sugarcane
industry, as well as block farm grants, socialized credit, scholarships, and
research and development.
However, only about P500 million was allotted
every year since the measure was passed in 2015, he said.
The lawmaker from San Juan also slammed
agriculture officials for promoting excessive importation instead of improving
the country’s agricultural production through modernization.
“Dapat bago na sana yung mga sugar mills.
Mechanized na yung farming. Kaya lang, di nangyari ang lahat. Dahil nawili tayo
sa importation, nakalimutan na yung production. Nakalimutan na ng itulak ng DA
at ibang ahensya,” he said.
“Ang gaganda ng mga batas, kung naipatupad nang tama
seven years ago, sana po malakas na ang sugar industry natin sa Negros at sa
iba pang probinsya. Kaya lang, nawili sila sa importation,” he added.
