In support of Filipino farmers, presidential candidate and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso promised that no new import permits will be signed for agricultural products during the harvest season if he wins in 2022.
This is the statement of the actor-turned-politician, now that the Philippines will import galunggong from other countries amid rising fish prices. The country also has a Rice Tariffication Law that allows “unlimited” entry of foreign rice into the Philippines at the expense of local farmers.
“Sisiguraduhin ko na kapag magtatanim kayo ng sibuyas [o bawang], I’ll make sure na ‘yung mga bawang ninyo mabibili dahil I will look into it personally during harvest time that no importation permit will be signed during harvest time,” said Domagoso, Monday, while encouraging farmers to plant.
“Kasi napapansin ko kung kailan mag-aani na ‘yung mga magsasaka, kung maka-isyu ng import permit eh lima, singko.”
“Kaya itong mga magsasaka natin, dahil flooded ng mga particular agri products [mula ibang bansa] sa market kaya wala silang kalaban-laban sa presyo. Ang tendency is malugi sila o bentang lugi.”
Isko Moreno bares plan for agriculture if elected as president
Isko mentioned this while presenting his 10-point economic plan, which discussed the Philippines’ food security.
The mayor also guaranteed that the government would buy the rice to be planted by the farmers not to go bankrupt. However, the impact on middle-men cultivators is said to be another issue.
He added that it is surprising that the Philippines imports fish from foreigners as it is an archipelago surrounded by seas, rivers, etc.
It was only in January that it was reported that the Department of Agriculture had approved the importation of 60,000 metric tons of fish in the first quarter of 2022 to “ensure supply” to the Philippines.
“We guarantee every Filipino: Walang pagkaing papasok sa bansa natin [nang iligal], masama ang quality, underrated, so on and so forth,” he added.
“We buy our own [produce]. Magtanim na kayo, palarin ako [manalo], sigurado kikita kyo, mapanatag kayo at maging feasible uli ang pagiging bahagi mo ng agricultural [sector].”
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