Published May 14, 2021, 3:40 PM
The country’s food producers – farmers, fishermen, and livestock raisers – are now facing the worst crisis in years.
This was declared by United Broiler Raisers’ Association (UBRA) President Bong Inciong during the Farmers and Fisherfolks Congress on Friday. According to Inciong, the country’s food producers are now experiencing the worst crisis in years amid the pandemic due to several factors, such as “decades of government neglect, the prevalence of COVID-19 pandemic, and pro-importation policies of the government.”
(MB file, Keith Bacongco)
“We are now paying the price for the long-term neglect of the sector. The economy and our people would not be as badly hit if agri-fisheries were in a better place [prior to the pandemic],” Inciong said.
May 12, 2021
The Department of Agriculture (DA) believes that access to more funding sources for its programs against African swine fever (ASF) will be facilitated after the country was declared in a state of calamity because of it.
It will be recalled that President Rodrigo Duterte announced a state of calamity to stop the ASF from affecting the country in 2019.
It also aims to repopulate pigs and lower the price of pork in the market.
“There will be more resources. When we say resources a variety of government assets from farms, equipment, facilities as well as manpower and personnel so maraming tulong tulong, local government units, all instrumentalities of government,” explained Agriculture Secretary William Dar on Tuesday.
BusinessWorld
May 12, 2021 | 12:32 am
By
Reporters
PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has approved measures seeking to boost the supply of pork in the country as the domestic hog industry struggles amid the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak.
Mr. Duterte placed the Philippines under a state of calamity for one year due to the spread of ASF, Presidential Spokesperson Herminio âHarryâ L. Roque, Jr. told a televised news briefing.
In Proclamation No. 1143 signed on May 10, Mr. Duterte said the hog disease has spread to 2,571 barangays in 46 provinces across 12 regions since its presence was first reported in the country in 2019, with new cases being reported despite governmentâs efforts.
Department of Agriculture (MANILA BULLETIN)
“We thank the Senate for pushing for the declaration of the state of calamity and for working the reduction of the MAV [minimum access volume] allocation on pork. Again, another moral victory for the local hog industry and the agriculture sector in general,” said Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) Chair Rosendo So.
It was in March when the Department of Agriculture (DA), upon the recommendation of the Senate, submitted to Malacañang a draft proclamation that seeks to put the entire Philippines in a state of emergency due to ASF outbreaks, which have been pushing meat prices, especially pork, higher