Press Release
August 30, 2016

STATEMENT OF SEN. KIKO PANGILINAN ON THE 2017 AGRICULTURE BUDGET

We welcome the effective 1.3% budget increase for the agriculture sector for 2017. The Department of Agriculture proposed budget is lower by 7.5% or P3.7 billion from this year's P48.9 billion to next year's P45.3 billion, but the budget of GOCCs under DA makes for an effective budget increase in the sector. For instance, NIA's budget is 11.1% higher.

We hope that this would give the sector a much-needed boost. It is unfortunate that agricultural growth for the first half of 2016 has remained slow. We realize the importance of agriculture in addressing poverty, especially in the rural areas.

We must give priority to increasing the incomes of the farmer and the fisher through the establishment of agricultural enterprises, technological support, and infrastructure development. An empowered agriculture sector will mean a further empowered economy, where growth can finally be felt in the peripheries.

We are optimistic that the programs and reforms in the agriculture sector would be implemented and given priority. We put faith on the current administration's Socio-Economic Agenda where agriculture, under rural development, is fifth.

The Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food will work hand-in-hand with the Department of Agriculture for the benefit and livelihood of the Filipino farmer and fisher.

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