Isko vows to protect farmers to sustain food security

MANILA – Aksyon Demokratiko presidential bet Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso assured full government support and protection for all Filipino farmers and food producers in the countryside to ensure food security and help uplift their lives.

Domagoso made this remark in a media interview during his campaign sortie in Bulacan on Thursday.

“It’s more on food security. Bulacan piggeries and poultry, as well as farms, kailangan patuloy na mabigyang diin ito ng pamahalaang nasyonal. Kailangang maproteksyunan yung mga karne, alagang baboy at manok, mga pagkain na produkto rin ng Bulacan at mga palay (the national government should continue to give emphasis on them. We should protect the meat, the livestocks, piggeries, and other food products coming from Bulacan, and also palay),” he said.

Bulacan is one of the provinces in Central Luzon where some of the major livelihood includes aquaculture, hog and poultry industries, and agriculture, among others.

Domagoso said the country is lucky to have been blessed with fertile lands that if utilized properly, may be able to sustain the country’s food security.

He, however, said many of the country’s farmers feel a lack of support and protection in this sector.

Domagoso said agriculture is one of the main pillars of his 10-point Bilis Kilos Economic Agenda.

In previous interviews, Domagoso said he plans to help farmers increase their income by providing them with risk-free capital; building more irrigation systems while improving the efficiency of existing ones; and establishing post-harvest facilities and cold storage facilities across the country and in major production areas.

He added that clear guidelines on the strict importation of agricultural products are vital to make sure that local producers can sell their products before the country resorts to importation.

Domagoso also vowed to run after smugglers of agricultural products to protect the interests of local producers.