Strong LGUs Could Establish Autonomous ‘Food Republics’

Strong LGUs Could Establish
Autonomous ‘Food Republics’
As the Philippines faces the frightening specter of becoming a country heavily dependent on Rice Importation to feed its people, the only hope for deliverance are local government units which could establish autonomous “Rice Production, Supply and Marketing” systems.
In preparing for my possible return as Governor of North Cotabato, I crafted a 5-Year Master for Agriculture, Health and Economic Development which includes the establishment of what I call the “Cotabato Rice Republic.”
Using Sec. 22 of Republic Act 7160 as the legal foundation, I intend to establish a corporate agency in the province with the support of our local legislative assembly which would directly get involved in supporting our rice farmers, buying their produce at a profitable level and selling rice within the province at prices lower than imported rice.
In the graphs which accompany this post, the concept of the Cotabato Rice Republic is explained in details.
The ultimate objective of this governance innovation is to make rice farming profitable while creating jobs and income opportunities locally and giving consumers access to affordable and freshly-harvested local rice.
With this strategy, we will make rice available in all our villages through the “Bigasan sa Barangay” to be managed by groups of women, PWDs, Senior Citizens, Bangsamoro and Tribal associations thus creating our own production, supply and marketing system.
Anything that we produce in excess could be supplied to urban LGUs through the introduction of the Bigasan ng Bayan where local rice, fresh and good quality, could be sold for not higher than P45 per kilo.
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