SENATOR KIKO PANGILINAN: RENEWED FAITH OF PRIVATE SECTOR IN GOVERNMENT SPURS SOLID FIRST-HALF GROWTH FOR AGRI SECTOR

Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan welcomes the good news that the country's agriculture sector posted substantial growth in the first semester of 2011.

"The strength of the agri sector comes from a renewed faith of the private sector and the agriculture sector in the Agriculture Department brought about by its sincerity and its serious desire to deliver results" says Pangilinan, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food. "The private sector is now willing to engage and actively participate in contributing to the agriculture economy because it believes in the leadership of DA Secretary Procy Alcala and President Noy Aquino."

According to the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, the sector posted 5.48 percent expansion in the first semester, falling within the targeted 5.5 percent growth.

Pangilinan, who is also the Chairman of the Congressional Oversight Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization, has been working closely with Secretary Alcala and attached agencies of the Department of Agriculture together with key players from the private sector to ensure the continued growth of the agriculture sector.

"Our work in the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food is primarily focused on improving the quality of life of our farmers. The solid fist-half growth in the agriculture sector should attract more investors from the private sector and venture into agricultural businesses. This shows we are on the right path to progress. We just need sustained push and support for the agriculture sector. There is no reason why we cannot be at par with, or indeed surpass, major agricultural nations in Southeast Asia."