THE House of Representatives under the leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez is exploring feasible agricultural infrastructure to enable the country to achieve long-term rice supply stability and food security.
House Appropriations Chair and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co said Romualdez spearheaded their meeting with major rice stakeholders on Friday in an effort to enlighten the legislative branch in identifying important fundamental facilities and systems for the agricultural sector.
House Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Manix” Dalipe also attended the meeting, which mainly discussed ways to enhance the nation’s rice production and ensure affordable food prices for Filipinos.
Among the major highlights of the conference were the strategies and experiences of Nueva Ecija — aptly the “Rice Granary of the Philippines” — in rice production as shared by Gov. Aurelio Umali.
He said that a crucial structure in their system was the establishment of “rice silos.”
“Ang kagandahan sa silos ‘yung mga palay hindi mo na kailangan ibilad sa kalsada,” Umali noted, adding that silos play a critical role in preventing post-harvest losses as the facility also helps preserve the quality of the grains.
He said the silos allowed them to have a steady rice supply to the market, which can contribute to stabilizing rice prices.
Co, meanwhile, proposed the national government’s hauling of agricultural products from the source so unscrupulous traders or middlemen would be cut off from the supply chain and farmers would reap the maximum benefits from their produce.
“The national government can also help with the hauling para ‘yung cost — wala nang kotong-kotong. If we get direct or buy directly from the farmers, wala ng trader,” he said.
Co likewise reiterated his push for the adoption of “Solar Fertigation,” which may potentially double cropping cycles.
“Yung Solar Fertigation para tipid na sa kuryente. May kasama nang fertilizer ang patubig,” he explained.
He also pointed out that strategic locations should be identified for the establishment of agricultural infrastructures — where silos, milling stations, and cold storage facilities may be interconnected.
“I hope we do not just create standalone structures. If they can be interconnected, it will [become] a food terminal that will revolutionize our agricultural supply chain,” Co said.
“Isama na natin lahat, cold storage, blast freezing, para maging food terminal na,” he continued, adding that green initiatives such as utilization of solar power should be considered to allow sustainable and cost-effective operations.
During the meeting, RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) subsidies emerged as a promising channel to fund the establishment of crucial agricultural infrastructures such as silos, milling stations, and cold storage facilities.
“The discussions were enlightening and will aid the legislative branch in identifying vital infrastructure projects,” Co said.
“We are on a mission to achieve the legacy project of food sufficiency, and [Friday’s] conversations mark a significant step towards that dream,” he added
