Press Release
September 9, 2010

GOV'T SHOULD ENSURE AGRICULTURE EXTENSION
WORKERS' WELFARE--ANGARA

Senator Edgardo J. Angara said that in order to boost food production in the country, government should ensure the welfare of agriculture and fisheries extension workers, as they are central to the growth and development of the sector.

"How a country manages its agriculture knowledge through its extension services is crucial to agriculture growth and development. Knowledge at the hands of the producers empowers and gives them the competitive edge. Extension, along with Research and Development (R&D), has the highest return of investment (ROI) among policy instruments," he said.

Angara, former secretary of the Department of Agriculture, has been a champion of the welfare our farmers and those working for the agriculture sector, in a bid to make Philippine agriculture globally competitive.

In the 15th Congress, Angara is pushing for the Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Bill, which seeks to provide an economic unit for agriculture development, to standardize the salaries of the extension workers and to create an institution to organize, regulate and assist these sectors.

"This will hopefully bring about better working conditions and an enhanced business development system, which they really need right now," said Angara.

Angara also stresses the importance of taking care of the country's labor force.

"Filipino workers are one of the country's best resources. Establishing core labor standards, upholding good industry practices and principles, and at the same time prioritizing the workers' welfare, these will result in a world-class workforce," he said.

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