MANILA – The AGRI Party-list has called on the bicameral conference committee to preserve the agriculture sector’s budget in the 2025 General Appropriations Bill. They argue that any reduction could undermine the Marcos administration’s food security goals and the livelihoods of millions of Filipinos.
AGRI Party-list Representative Wilbert Lee emphasized the importance of supporting local food producers, whom he referred to as ‘food security soldiers.’ He stated, ‘Our local food producers, who are our food security soldiers, deserve increased support, especially since they are the source of our country’s food.’
The bicameral committee is tasked with resolving discrepancies in the proposed PHP6.352 trillion national budget. The AGRI Party-list warned that underfunding agriculture could lead to severe long-term effects, particularly in the context of escalating global food prices and climate change.
The party stressed that investing in agriculture is crucial not only for supporting farmers, fisherfolk, and local food producers but also for protecting the nation’s food supply from external disruptions. They argued that a reduced budget would hinder efforts to tackle these challenges.
They highlighted that the current budget proposals fall short of meeting the needs of local food producers and addressing critical issues such as low productivity, outdated infrastructure, and the lack of post-harvest facilities. The agriculture budget, they noted, is a mere fraction of the total national budget and significantly less than the PHP500 billion initially requested by the Department of Agriculture for 2025.
The AGRI Party-list emphasized that prioritizing additional support for farmers, fisherfolk, and the entire agriculture sector is essential for reducing food prices for Filipino families. They believe that such support would not only boost incomes but also enhance production, increase supply, and lower the cost of food and other essentials in the market.
The party concluded by stating that the budget decision is not merely about passing a law but about making a commitment to the millions of Filipinos dependent on agriculture for their livelihood.