By Manny Piñol
Salinas City, California – In faraway California where I am, in preparation for the Dept. of Agriculture’s participation in a huge Trade and Agri Fair in Palm Springs on Nov. 2, I received a distressing news that rice and corn farmers in Northern Luzon and Central Mindanao could not sell their products damaged by the recent typhoons and endless rains.
This is the kind of problem which has shackled our farmers in endless poverty as they lose money most of which they borrow from middlemen and traders who charge exorbitant interest fees.
Immediately, I wrote a memorandum to President Rody Duterte seeking his help to provide immediate relief to our desperate farmers.
Here is my memorandum to the President which was coursed through Executive Secretary Salvador “Bingbong” Medialdea:
“Mr. President,
“The recent typhoons which hit Northern Luzon and the endless rains in Central Mindanao have damaged rice and corn crops of our farmers.
“In the Northern Luzon area alone, damage to agriculture is placed at P10-B while the continuous rains in Central Mindanao as the harvest season is reaching its peak could result in massive losses for our farmers.
“In view of these developments, Mr. President, may I recommend the following:
“1. For the President to order the National Food Authority (NFA) to buy the rice and corn produce of farmers which were drenched by floodwaters and are classified as “spotted.”
“The private traders will not buy “spotted” rice although when processed, it still possesses good eating quality except for the discolouration.
“However, if the NFA would buy the spotted rice, this could still be milled and given out in the form of food assistance to victims of calamities.
“2. For the President to direct the Dept. of Budget and Management and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to immediately make available an additional P1-B in Quick Reaction Fund for the Department of Agriculture.
“The P1-B would be used in replenishing the P350-M which is now being readied for disbursement to assist the rice and corn farmers and fishermen affected by the recent typhoons.
“Our poor farmers and fisher folks are pinning their hopes on your compassionate heart, Mr. President, to lift them up and out of this tragic situation.
“Thank you.
“Manny Piñol
Secretary, Dept. of Agriculture”
I have emailed the memorandum to President Duterte and knowing how this leader cares for his people, I am expecting positive results.
(File photos of crop damage downloaded from Google.)
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