Unequal Sharing! Typhoon-Prone Luzon Gets 60% Of Rice Funds

It is not only in infrastructure funds that Luzon enjoys a big share, it is also true for the sharing of agricultural funds, especially under the National Rice Program.
Data from the rice program of the Department of Agriculture showed that the three rice producing regions of Luzon, Regions 1, 2 and 3 get 60% of the hybrid rice budget while accounting for only 36.1% of the national rice output.
Overlooked, whether unintentionally or intentionally, is the fact that these are the regions which are vulnerable to typhoons and storms.
In 2018, following a series of typhoons which destroyed Luzon rice crops, I designed and initiated a program called “Southern Swing Initiative” which sought to develop 300,000 hectares as back-up rice production areas in the Southern Regions of the country.
Among the areas identified were the islands of Samar and Leyte and Mindanao.
Today, six years after the Southern Swing Initiative was designed, the program is in the doldrums, victim of the “New Program and New Thinking” scourge which stunts Philippine progress and development.
Even outside of government now, I am still pushing for the advocacy to attain Food Sufficiency for the country, especially now that most agricultural countries are cutting down on their exports to feed their growing population.
For the first time since he assumed office as the new Secretary of Agriculture, I will be meeting with Sec. Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., today in his office.
In the meeting today, I will ask him to review the distribution of funds for the Hybrid Rice Program and given Visayas and Mindanao a bigger share.
These are the areas least affected by natural calamities, thus the potential to contribute to the National Rice Program is immense.
#GovernanceIsCommonSense!
#ComplicatingSimpleThings!