NEWLY elected Sen. Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan announced his intent to seek the Mindanao Food Basket bill during a visit in Marawi City yesterday, July 18.
Pangilinan, who visited Marawi several times during his campaign, emphasized his commitment to lowering food prices.
He said he would file a resolution in the Senate to push for the Mindanao Food Basket Bill, a measure that would acknowledge Mindanao’s potential to be the country’s food basket.
Pangilinan cited the fisheries in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao as an example.“Sa Barmm, alam natin na 30% ng ating agri-fisheries supply ay galing dito,” Pangilinan said.
He questioned the practice of transporting sardines to Manila for processing.
“Bakit hindi gawin dito ang processing? Bakit hindi bigyan ng suporta ang Barmm para magkaroon ng dagdag na kapasidad so that we can make sure that your region will benefit from your rich supply of fisheries and aqua-agriculture products,” Pangilinan asked.
Farmers, fisherfolk and cooperative representatives met Friday to discuss current issues and concerns.
The discussion was led by Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Forester Pili Papandayan, Provincial Agriculturist Mohammad Rajiv Radia, Provincial Cooperative Officer Ashadie Alonto and Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Al-Hussein Dumaot.
Topics included the low selling price of harvests and the rising costs of farming and fishing inputs.
Pangilinan also addressed the deficiency in rice supply.
“Paano bababa ang presyo ng bigas kung kulang ang supply? Ngayon, nine pesos lang ang palay sa Metro Manila. Dapat yan, 15 pesos para hindi malugi ang magsasaka. Dapat palakasin ang pagbili ng gobyerno sa palay, dagdagan ang warehouse, at ayusin ang supply chain,” the senator explained.
Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr. said his goal is for Lanao del Sur to become an agricultural center with easy access for its farmers.
“Layunin natin na maging sentro ng agrikultura at kalakalan ang Lanao del Sur, kung saan may direktang access ang ating mga magsasaka sa merkado, imbakan, at negosyo,” Adiong said.
