CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) said that farmers in the country should not just plant palay but instead strive to engage in competitiveness for the sake of rice production.
This was the message of Undersecretary for Operations Engr. Ariel Cayanan, who urged farmers to engage in rice competitiveness that will aid to increase productivity and yield revenue.
This was disclosed during the first Open Government and Participatory Governance Regional Town Hall Meeting held at Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center (BGZCC), here.
It can be recalled that the significant P10-billion Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) that has been signed into law by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte aims to improve profitability and competitiveness to farmers.
“This is not about how to control the prices (of rice) but to compete. There is a competition due to market forces, but we encourage our farmers to involve in rice competitiveness to increase their production,” Cayanan said.
The RCEF is a special rice safeguard duty to protect the rice industry from sudden or extreme price fluctuations.
“At dahil sa naisabatas na ito (Rice Liberation Law), inaasahan na ang ating mga farmers will also rise,” the Usec added.
The event is jointly pioneered by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and the Presidential Communications and Operations Office (PCOO).
Among the vital issues in Region 3 are mental health and universal health care, rice tariffication law and agricultural-related concerns and Build Build Build program.
Meanwhile, participants and delegates were given an opportunity to air some of their queries facilitated by PCOO Assistant secretary Kris Ablan, which were answered by the guest speakers respectively.