Piñol visits Toronto, calls OFWs in Canada to invest in PH food sector

Sec. Manny Piñol (second to the left) holds the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with John Myers (right) of Navcast, a Canadian company specializing in navigational equipments. The MOU was signed to to help track fishing vessels in the Philippines and to promote regulation and fishery conservation. It was witnessed by Ambassador Petronila Garcia and Rod Coutts at the Ontario Trade & Investment Center. (Photo: Artemio Borba)

Philippine Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol shared President Rodrigo Duterte’s marching order to secure food availability and affordability for Filipinos, and to stop corruption in his department.

“My dear Filipinos in Canada because even if I know you are 11,000 miles away, there’s this cringe that attach your heart to your country. Alot of things have changed for our country and you’ll be very proud of this,” said Manny Piñol during his unofficial visit to Canada on October 29.

Speaking before an audience of community members, ethnic media in Toronto, Piñol encouraged OFWs and their families to form corporations to be registered in the Philippines and to venture in various agri-business investments.

“Why don’t you organize yourselves into small corporations, small groupings. When you go home, you will be able to take a look at in which areas you will invest in, how would you be able to help your countrymen, your relatives,” Piñol said.

“We are coming up with a program where OFWs are being asked to invest in their own country. If you would invest in rice production, we will make arrangements for you. If you would invest in white shrimps production, because the Philippines is now gearing back in the production of white production. You could invest in banana production,” he added.

Piñol explained that corporations would have easier access to financing compared to cooperatives even without initial capital. He said that he will push for micro-lending programs as he holds a board of director position with the state-owned Land Bank of the Philippines. He also suggested that OFWs help in marketing Philippine produce to this part of the world.

“Next week, a team from the Philippines will inspect meat processing facilities in Canada as part of the sanitary protocol,” Piñol announced.

He mentioned that Canada shoulders the expenses of this process in the past. But was quick to add that the Philippine government will then on shoulder everything to determine whether the meat produce meets quality standards for import.

“We are not rich but we are a people with dignity now,” he added.

Piñol, who holds a master in rural economic development, was the brain behind Duterte’s campaign program for farmers and fisherfolk including projects such as farm to market roads, water systems and free irrigation, livelihood development for agricultural crops and fish ports.

Other dignitaries who graced the occasion with their presence were Philippine Ambassador to Canada Petronila Garcia, Toronto Consul General Rosalita Prospero, Vice Mayor Joselito Piñol of M’lang town in North Cotabato, Office of Participatory Governance undersecretary Peter Tiu Laviña and Andrei Natabio of the Duterte Campaign Communications team.

The town hall meeting was organized by Pinoy in Canada Patriotic Movement.