Thursday, February 15, 2007 Agriculture chief vows bigger farm support
ADDITIONAL funds and technical assistance are coming the way of the agriculture-based sector to help increase its competitiveness.
In his keynote address during the opening of the Philfoodex Philippine Food Expo last February 1, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap enumerated a number of projects that would help address widespread poverty in the country and farm players more efficient, profitable and competitive.
Included in this package are the setting up of laboratories in Mindanao to facilitate product testing; funding assistance to the mango growers and exporters to pay the fees of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspectors; a tie up with the Bureau of Customs to alert farm producers in advance of incoming materials and products; and the infusion of additional P2 billion to be accessed through the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) which now has P3 billion for lending.
Yap also said he ordered the scrapping of P32 million worth of service fees on licenses and permits issued by all DA bureaus and agencies. This is a positive response to Executive Order (EO) 554 issued by the President in 2006 ordering all government agencies to streamline their export processes and reduce or remove all export fees.
"We are investing to propel Philippine agriculture to higher growth," said Yap. "In the process, we invite you to compete with us," he told a crowd of agri-based manufacturers, exporters, service providers and partners during the trade fair.
He added that it is fortunate that this time, there is government money to be spent on farm investments. The Cabinet recently approved P3.5 billion for irrigation projects.
Yap further said refined sugar will be made available to small and medium manufacturers and exporters at prices at par with those in Southeast Asian countries like Thailand and Vietnam.
"President (Gloria Macapagal-) Arroyo ordered us to bring down poverty. At the DA, we try to address this problem by providing solutions that help fishermen and farmers make more money. By doing so, we can save them from piling up debts. This way, we motivate them to be our partners in spurring and sustaining growth," he said. (Liza C. Leong/Philexport News and Features/Sunnex)
