SPEAKER Faustino “Bojie” Dy III has reaffirmed his commitment to champion the welfare of Filipino farmers, assuring them that the House of Representatives will always keep its doors open to the agricultural sector and other marginalized groups.
The House leader made the commitment during a meeting with farmers from Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan and Isabela, led by former Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael “Ka Paeng” Mariano, who paid a courtesy visit to the Speaker’s Office on Tuesday to discuss their proposals for improved crop insurance and livelihood support programs.
Dy, who represents the 6th District of Isabela and previously served as governor of the province, said his deep respect for farmers is rooted in his experience leading a province sustained by agriculture.
“Ang bumubuhay at sigla ng probinsya ng Isabela ay ang ating masisipag na magsasaka. Kaya mataas po ang aming respeto at pagkilala sa kanila. Lagi naming tinutugunan ang kanilang pangangailangan at hamon—mula sa lupa, tubig, hanggang sa kabuhayan,” he said.
The farmers expressed full support for Dy’s call to restore the rice import tariff rate to 35% from the current 15%, saying it would help protect local producers from the influx of imported rice.
The visiting farmers said it was their first time to personally meet a sitting House Speaker and to enter the Speaker’s Office.
“Sulit po ang biyahe namin mula madaling araw. Ngayon lang kami nakapasok sa opisina ng Speaker at ramdam namin ang malasakit niya sa mga magsasaka,” said a member of the group.
Dy welcomed the farmers’ proposed measures and cited the programs of the provincial government of Isabela as examples of inclusive agricultural development. Among the programs he mentioned were scholarship grants for farmers’ children and continued support for farm productivity.
According to the Speaker, “ang mga programa namin sa Isabela ay nakatuon hindi lang sa produksyon ng ani kundi pati sa kinabukasan ng pamilya ng mga magsasaka. Ganyan din ang nais nating isulong sa pambansang antas—isang sistemang kumikilala, nagpoprotekta at tumutulong sa ating mga magsasaka.”
He also renewed his call to revisit Republic Act No. 11203, or the Rice Tariffication Law, to ensure that it truly serves the interests of local farmers.
“Dapat po nating talakayin at i-revisit nang mabuti ang batas,” Dy said.
He added that “ang gusto po namin, maibalik ang kontrol ng importasyon sa Department of Agriculture, at bigyan ng prayoridad ang pagbili ng lokal bago payagang mag-angkat. Unahin muna natin ang sariling ani bago ang imported.”
The Speaker and the farmers also discussed long-term infrastructure needs, including a planned highway connecting Metro Manila to Regions 2 and 3 to reduce transport costs and improve access to markets.
“Matagal na naming pangarap ‘yan. Kung matutuloy, malaking ginhawa ‘yan sa pagdadala ng produkto. Ang contribution ng Isabela nasa 15 to 18 percent ng konsumo ng Metro Manila,” he said.
Dy ended the meeting by assuring the delegation that the House will remain accessible to farmers and the Filipino people.
“Bukas lagi ang Kongreso sa inyo. Ang mga pintuan ng Kamara ay hindi lamang para sa mga mambabatas kundi para sa mga tunay na bumubuhay sa ating bayan—ang mga magsasaka.”
