Tuesday, August 05, 2008 Guv: Arroyo's approach to food crisis irrelevant By Edmund B. Sestoso
NEGROS Oriental Governor Emilio Macias II disagreed with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's approach to the ongoing food crisis by just providing subsidies.
He said the approach made by the President, as spelled out during her recent 8th State of the Nation Address (Sona), is irrelevant and inaccurate.
Macias made known his position during the final judging of the Timbayayong Award for Outstanding LGU (local government unit) and NGO/PO held at Bethel Guest House.
He said it could have been better if Arroyo's programs were intended for food production, adding that he is not in favor of utilizing the income coming from the expanded Value Added Tax (VAT) for giving subsidies to the poor.
According to him, what the National Government should have done instead of constantly giving subsidies is to train the poor on how to find a living than just wait for help to arrive.
Macias also said rather than depending much on Malacañang, he urged non-government organizations (NGOs) to educate farmers on how to use organic fertilizer in order for them to become productive.
He said it is now time to seriously promote organic farming after the increase in the prices of chemical fertilizers.
Earlier, the governor ordered schools division Superintendent Licerio Napao to train public school teachers on how to produce organic fertilizers for them to impart this knowledge to their students.
The Capitol will buy half of the produced organic fertilizers by the students for them to generate income.
He said it is essential for the students to know the importance of organic fertilizers.
