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Tuesday, November 18, 2003
GMA expected to dialogue with local farmers on importation
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The provincial government has invited President Arroyo to a dialogue with farmers from all over the region during the Regional Farmers Congress this week.
Benguet Gov. Raul Molintas, meanwhile, posed a challenge for farmers to articulate accurate and updated inputs affecting their respective agricultural practices during the La Trinidad farmers' forum, the last of a series of activities that resulted from the initial farmers' provincial congress held during last year's celebration.
Last year's recommendations include the organization of a federation of farmers from all levels, active involvement of farmers in the national level body, putting up of a cold chain, crop program and the holding of municipal farmers' congress.
Molintas said the solution to the present problem of the industry cannot be implemented by the government without the full cooperation of the farmers, saying the inputs that can be implemented at the barangay levels have to be implemented at farm level."
He added that sentiments, issues and concerns affecting the agriculture sector must be brought to the attention of the president should she accept the invitation. The president is expected to come up to Baguio City to grace the Ad Congress opening on November 20.
Data gathered from the various gatherings will also be presented in the regional farmers' congress, which is a part of the weeklong celebration of the Benguet foundation that started the other day.
Molintas lamented that despite the assurances given by the president December last year, there are reports that the importation of vegetables is still being allowed or that the Bureau of Plant and Industry has been releasing importation permits. "We do not know anymore whom to believe."
The governor also questioned the importation permits released by BPI indicating a total volume of 150,000 kilos of imported vegetables for sampling purposes.
Molintas urged the delegation to come out with a united stand on the effects of importation on the local vegetable industry. He said the La Trinidad forum inputs would be collated together with that of other local government units' positions to come up with a regional position.
"We should tell the president the effect of importation not only in Benguet but in the region as a whole and perhaps with a bigger number, the national government would realize and give attention to our concerns," he stressed.
In a related development, the governor announced that the Department of Public Works and Highway has committed to prioritize completion of the Halsema Highway not later than May 2004.
The construction and improvement of the Benguet-Aritao-Nueva Vizcaya Road may be started April next year when the project is expected to be awarded not later than the end of December, while the Abatan-Mankayan-Cervantes road may be awarded on or before December next year so it can be started by early 2005.
Molintas said the construction and improvement of various entry points in the province is expected to decrease the loss of production by 10 percent, "The 48 percent post harvest losses due to poor road condition could be lessened even by 10 percent, and that would be a great help."
(November 18, 2003 issue)
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