The 3-day MinDA Tienda in Manila ended today leaving behind a very clear message – our farmers and fishermen in Mindanao could feed this country if only they are given support and access to the market.
Mindanao, which now produces 45% of the food requirements of the country, could feed the nation if only the region is given a fair share of the national resources, although it looks like our ecoomic managers, policy planners and even legislators are simply deaf and blind.
Mindanao’s 16% share of the national budget this year is expected to even be lower in 2021 with only 11%.
As if rubbing salt to Mindanao’s wounds, its infrastructure budget share for 2021 is lower than the budget allocation one legislator cornered for his district located in Metro Manila.
Nakakalambot ng tuhod at nakakapanlumo but we have to continue our advocacy to prove to them that the farmers and fishermen of Mindanao and of the whole country could actually produce enough food for our people.
The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) will lead the advocacy in increasing awareness on the potentials of Mindanao to be a major source of agricultural and fisheries products both for local consumption and for export.
This has always been my battle cry and advocacy. Unfortunately my contention that the Philippines could be self-sufficient in food, especially, rice, has been derided and ridiculed.
The people who do not believe that the Philippines could be self-sufficient in food may not even have ventured to the countryside where vast areas of fertile lands remain unutilized.
I challenge them to come with me as I travel to the remotest areas of the country so that they will understand why in spite of the brickbats, the ridicule and the derision that I get, I have remained steadfast in my assertion that with a fully developed countryside and fairly rewarded farmers and fishermen, the Philippines could be self-sufficient in food and even export the excess production in the future.
That is the message that MinDA Tienda carries and we will spread this all over the Philippines by showing people the Beauty and Bounty of Mindanao.
#WeAreBetterThanVietnam!
#WeCouldProduceOurFood!
#GovernanceIsCommonSense!
#MinDATiendaIsAMessage!
(This video production ws prepared by the Beauty & Bounty of Mindanao Media Team for the Mindanao Development Authority.)
https://fb.watch/aMD7FJ9FSC/
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