Road To Food Sufficiency! “We Must Institutionalize Our Agricultural Programs!”

Ang isa sa pinakamalaking balakid sa tagumpay ng ating mga programa sa Agrikultura at Pangingisda ay ang pagkatali sa political terms ng ating mga halal na lider.

The timeframe for the implementation and the expected success of most of our agricultural programs is based on the political terms of our elected leaders, three years for the mayors and governors, and six years for the President.

Long-term programs are often sidelined in favor of those which would bear results in three years to boost the chances of re-election of the local political leader.

Also, Department initiated programs, like the Production Loan Easy Access (PLEA), which are dependent on funding from the General Appropriations Act could be scrapped just by the wave of the hand of a powerful Senator.

Sa ibang bansa, this problem was addressed by legislating major agricultural programs and initiatives, like the Farm Act of the United States of America.

Ganoon din dapat ang ating gawin sa Pilipinas, na ang ating mga programa ay nakatakda sa batas at may automatic funding every year para hindi na magmamakaawa ng budget sa mga Congressmen o Senador taon-taon.

Tulad ng proposal ko na 10-Year National Fisheries Development Program na ang target ay magiging Fish Sufficient ang Pilipinas pagkatapos ng sampung taon.

Kung hindi natin isabatas at i-asa lang sa annual budget allocation from the General Appropriations Act (GAA), vulnerable ito sa pakikialam ng mga politiko at malamang ay hindi matutuloy.

Long term dapat ang ating pananaw kasi Food Security is not just about providing food on the table of Filipinos families tomorrow, next week, next month or next year.

Food Security is about ensuring enough food today, tomorrow and for the next generation of Filipinos.

#FoodSecurityForAll!

#SustainableAgriPrograms!