Pangilinan calls on gov't to look into sale of smuggled carrots in Benguet

SENATOR Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan expressed alarm over the reported sale of smuggled carrots in the province of Benguet.

"Nakakaalarma ito dahil apektado ang benta ng mga taga-Benguet sa pagpasok ng puslit na carrots," said Pangilinan.

The senator said concerned authorities, especially the Department of Agriculture, should investigate this reported smuggling of carrots.

"Kailangang imbestigahan ito ng gobyerno dahil kawawa naman ang ating mga magsasaka na malaki na ang lugi dahil sa lockdown," he stressed.

The senator said smuggled produce exposes our food products to the possible threat of pests and diseases. He said Cocolisap and African swine fever both came from items from abroad.

Pangilinan then reiterated his call to the government and the consumers to boost the buy local campaign to help our farmers and help the economy recover from the effects of the pandemic.

"Malaki ang maitutulong ng buy lokal para muling mapalakas ang ating ekonomiya at mapalakas ang kita ng mga magsasaka," he added.

Pangilinan is also pushing for the full implementation of his Sagip Saka Act to boost farmers' income.

"Apektado rin ng pandemya ang ating mga magsasaka. Pero kung kikita sila dahil sa kanila bibili at hindi sa mga dayuhang magsasaka ang ating gobyerno, mas ma-e-engganyo silang magsaka pa," Pangilinan said during a recent Senate hearing.

"Sa tulong ng batas na ito, bababa rin ang presyo ng pagkain, lalaki kita ng mga magsasaka at masisiguro ang sapat na supply ng pagkain sa bansa, na lubhang napakahalaga ngayong pandemya," he added.

Since the law's passage, a total of 443 LGUs have purchased agricultural products directly from farmers and fisherfolk as of November 30, 2020.