Feeding Millions DUTERTE APPROVES BOOK ON FOOD SECURITY AGENDA

By Manny Piñol

Finally, after several months of cracking my head trying to write in an understandable language a leader’s revolutionary ideas on how to feed the Filipino people, I am now ready for the printing of the book “Feeding Millions.”

Last night, as a gesture of respect to the man who helped me shape the ideas on how to improve agriculture in the Philippines, I showed presidential candidate Rody Duterte the final draft of the book for his comments and approval.

“Go ahead, print it. You cannot go wrong. You know the territory,” Duterte told me after going through the final draft of the book which contains his thoughts, and mine as well, on how to provide “Available and Affordable Food” for the Filipino people.

“Feeding Millions” contains Duterte’s ideas on how to ensure that there would be enough food for the Filipinos today and in the future while at the same time creating jobs in the agriculture sector.

It is a product of my lengthy intellectual discussions with him which started as early as 2014 and continued until recently when he decided to offer himself for the Presidency.

Feeding Millions is a milestone in my life because this is the first book that I have written.

Perhaps, what helped me in really working hard to finish the book was the realization that this should come out before the elections of 2016 where my friend, Rody Duterte, is one of the candidates for the Presidency. People have to read the book before they make the decision on May 9, 2016 because I believe they have to understand his views on Food Security.

The thought of this man becoming President of the Philippines has inspired me no end and I really pray that he would live up to what people expect of him and from him.

There are people who have to be thanked for giving me the deep knowledge and understanding of farming and agriulture, for giving me love and inspiration, and for supporting me during the lowest moments of my life.

My grandfather, Jose Cordero Piñol, the poor farmer from Iloilo who ventured to Mindanao and taught us the virtue of honesty. Working as a train inspector in Iloilo, he found a bagful of money left behind by a passenger in the train. He surrendered the bag and the money to the train supervisor who also returned it to the owner.

“Why keep something that is not yours?” he said when we asked him why he returned the money which could have made him a rich man.

Lolo Jose showed us how he cared for his animals and the value of hardwork.

My grandmother, Azucena Magbanua, who taught us to appreciate the beauty of simple living. She made great dishes out of ordinary items found in the farm. Steamed squash toppings with red tomatoes and native chicken eggs made our breakfasts as kids memorable.

My father, Bernardo Piñol, a very strict disciplinarian, who instilled in us the value of education. He passed on to us the passion for farming that he learned from his father, Jose. In him, I saw a man who never yearned for anything more than what life afforded him. It was pure and simple living.

My mother,Efigenia Fantin, who showered us with love and affection which moulded us into becoming very sensitive and emotional human beings. She was the brave mother hen who was ready to fight to protect her children.

My brothers especially our oldest brother Patricio, who grew up knowing the pains of hunger and poverty but who survived the trials through sheer guts and courage, who celebrated the great moments of my life with me and comforted me during the lowest moments. I do not know what life would have been without their love and support.

My children, Maria Krista and her husband, Chito, Josa Bernadette, and Bernhart Immanuel, and my grandson, Duane for giving me inspiration and providing me the reason to work harder and dream of a better future for them.

I also would like to thank the people who helped me make this book a reality.

My friends, Dodong Arizola, Mike Rualo, Dr. Ramon Floresta and former agriculture secretary Sonny Dominguez for the financial support for the printing of the book.

My wedding godson, John Pagaduan, for designing the cover of the book and for providing support and encouragement, especially for reminding me that I had to finish the writing of the book.

My English teacher, Anna Liza Cerbo, who patiently went over the manuscripts in spite of her tight work schedule in Cor Jesu College and Princess Fe C. Caballes, who helped with the research work.

My friends Winchell Campos and Rocky French for providing me added information on inland fisheries and many other things.

Most of all to the Filipino farmers, the unsung and unrecognized heroes of our society and to my friend, Rody Duterte, for giving me a ray of hope that change could still happen in this country.

This book is not perfect neither does it contain the complete answers to the problems confronting Philippine food production today. I, however, hope that this would open the minds of our leaders and our people and make them understand that the only way to attain food security is to establish a system that works and is not blemished by corruption and the greed for money.

In less than two weeks, the printing of the book would be finished and after a formal launching, it will be up for sale to the public.

The book will be sold for P500 per copy but for those who would like to show their support for Duterte’s candidacy, there will be special copies priced at P1,000 which would bear the personal signature of Rody Duterte.

Whatever proceeds will be realised from the sale of the book I will use to intensify my campaign to generate greater awareness on the advocacies of Duterte.

Presently, I am handling radio programs in seven radio stations in Southern Mindanao and a weekly program aired nation-wide on DZRH.

For those who have been asking me how they could help in Duterte’s campaign, this is your chance.

By buying the book, you will not only get a deeper insight into the thoughts of Duterte in agriculture but also support his campaign which sorely lacks the financial resources.