Press Release
March 20, 2007

VILLAR BATS FOR REFORMS IN AGRICULTURE, EDUCATION AND INVESTMENT SECTORS TO ALLEVIATE FILIPINOS HUNGER

Senate President Manny Villar, President of the Nacionalista Party, says that as long as the economic gains that the government is bragging about do not trickle down to the common people, poverty particularly the hunger level in the country will continue to worsen.

We cannot really call them gains if these were not felt by our countrymen, especially the poorest of the poor. While they are trumpeting about the so-called economic gains, the number of Filipinos who go hungry or have experienced hunger continues to increase, cites Villar.

Villar adds, At the end of the day, what is important to the people is if the growth in the countrys economy has trickled down to them or have made a positive difference in their lives. As I go around the country, the more I can see and feel the problems of the masses and I will use those information and observation in the programs and reforms that I am planning to implement.

According to the first quarter survey of the Social Weather Station (SWS), conducted in February 24 to 27, about 3.4 million households or a record high of 19% Filipinos have experience involuntary hunger over the past three months. The hunger level worsened in Metro Manila (from 17.7% to 20.7%) and the rest of Luzon (from 17.7% to 18.3%).

According to Villar, the economic gains have not resulted into the creation of new jobs; have not attracted more investments or alleviated poverty. He cites that it is not enough to just spur economic activities but the growth should be felt by the people.

Villar has a three-pronged approach to ease poverty and hunger problems in the countryinstitute reforms in the agriculture, education and investment sectors.

Nearly half of the countrys population relies in the agriculture sector and if we can cut or eliminate corruption in this sector and infuse more funds into it, imagine what it can do to ordinary farmers or fisherfolksthat is already significantly solve the hunger problem as it can hasten food production and supply, says Villar.

Villar further cites, Secondly, we should reform the education sector. The jobs available in the market do not match with the graduates or manpower produced by the schools. I have often urged students to pick courses that will give them a better chance to land a job immediately after graduation.

Morever, according to Villar, Since there is scarcity of jobs, we should encourage companies or businesses that labor-intensive or can create more jobs to set up shop in our country by giving them benefits and incentives.

News Latest News Feed