Press Release
January 24, 2010

Villar pushes agricultural renaissance
NP bet calls for entrepreneurial revolution to spur economic growth at Cebu forum

Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Sen. Manny Villar said an "entrepreneurial revolution" is the key that will unlock long-term economic growth for the country.

In a forum for presidential candidates in Cebu Friday, Villar said an entrepreneurial revolution will fast-track economic growth and push the country forward. "Nagawa na natin ang lahat ng klaseng rebolusyon, ang entrepreneurial revolution na lang ang hindi at panahon na para yan naman ang gawin natin," he said.

Villar said his entrepreneurial revolution will focus on areas that will make the biggest difference to majority of Filipinos--70% of whom are engaged in agriculture. He called for an "agriculture renaissance" through the modernization of irrigation systems, machineries and, warehousing facilities.

"Mahigit 70% ng ating mga mahihirap ay nasa agriculture kaya dapat diyan tayo tumutok para matikman ng 70 porsiyento ng mga mahihirap na ito ang pag-angat ng kanilang buhay," Villar explained.

Villar said there was a need to undertake projects that will inspire and encourage investors to invest in the country and thus create jobs. "Kailangan natin ipakita sa kanila na may ginagawa rin tayo sa pag-alis sa mga balakid sa kanilang pagnenegosyo dito," he said.

It can be gleaned from his platform of government that in order to boost production and productivity, he would focus on small community-based irrigation systems and making available appropriate productivity-enhancing technologies.

His plan also includes providing full support for formation of cooperatives of producers and inculcating the spirit of entrepreneurship to agricultural producers to make them realize the value of seeking the most efficient way of achieving ends and maximizing at the least cost.

The NP standard-bearer also considered constant dialogue with the private sector as a key to making Philippine businesses globally competitive. "Tanungin natin ang ating mga businessmen, ano ba ang mga problema nila? Credit, hind nagpo-flow ang credit sa kanila. Kaya hindi maka-compete globally, nahihirapan sila makautang. Hindi sila maka-expand. Let us address their requirements," Villar said.

The forum was organized by the three major business chambers in Cebu: the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Cebu Business Club.

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