3 senatorial aspirants favor increased agri production over ayuda

Three senatorial aspirants are more in favor of introducing reforms to increase agricultural production than distributing financial aid, commonly known as "ayuda,'' to the public.

Reelectionist Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, former COA Commissioner Heidi Mendoza, and Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas leader Danilo Ramos made the suggestion during the town hall segment of the Tanong ng Bayan: the GMA Senatorial Face-Off.

The three were asked about the cause of inflation and if financial aid is a sustainable solution.

While giving dole-outs is an "immediate solution" to address inflation, Dela Rosa said there is a need to strengthen the agriculture sector to achieve food security in the country.

"Ang aking nakikitang solusyon dyan sa inflation ay palakasin natin ang ating production sa sektor ng agrikultura para makamit natin ang food security kung saan bababa ang presyo ng pangunahing bilihin," Dela Rosa said.

(The solution that I am seeing to address inflation is strengthening the production of the agriculture sector so that we can achieve food security, which, in effect, will lower the prices of basic goods.)

Apart from this, the reelectionist senator stressed the need to intensify crackdowns on smugglers and hoarders who are "manipulating the prices and the market."

For Mendoza, there is a need to study the country's demand and consumption, adding that the government's economic policies should be "inclusive."

"Tingnan po natin 'yung production. Nabibigyan po ba natin ng tamang support ang ating mga farmers? Meron po ba silang access sa mababang credit? What about the farm inputs?" she said.

(Let’s look at our production. Are we able to give farmers enough support? Do they have access to lower credit rates? What about the farm inputs?)

"Kamusta po yung farm infrastructure? Ang ating mga kalsada, bako-bako, hirap-hirap, ang mahal ng transportation, at tingnan po natin yung mga economic players, ang mga traders, ang mga producers, pati po yung mga nag-ho-hoard, at ‘yung katiwalian din po sa mga regulatory agencies," she added.

(How is our farm infrastructure? Our roads are dilapidated, and the transportation of crops is costly. Let’s also look at the economic players—the traders, producers, and the hoarders. We also have to look at the corruption in our regulatory agencies.)

Mendoza also expressed reservations about the current financial aid program of the government, such as the controversial Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).

"Hindi ako naniniwala na 'yung AKAP ay nakakatulong. Kasi yung AKAP, the way it is being implemented, ay masasabi nating detrimental," Mendoza said.

(I don’t believe AKAP will be of help because the way it is being implemented, you can say it is detrimental.)

"Posible po yung tinatawag natin pansamantalang pagtulong sa mga kapos ang kita. Pero dapat ilagay sa tamang struktura. Dahil ito ang kailangan. Tamang control. Huwag yung discretionary. At lalong hindi. Depende lang kung sinong kakampi sa party. At lalong hindi kung panahon ng election," the former COA commissioner added.

(The temporary aid is possible for those whose income is lacking, but this should be put in a proper structure. There should be proper controls. It should not be discretionary and partisan. And it should not be distributed during the election period.)

Meanwhile, Ramos pointed to the "inutile" government as the reason for the persistent problem of inflation.

"Mahalaga pong makita bakit may implasyon. Ang totoo po niyan, para sa amin, 'yung polisiya at patakaran ng gobyerno kung bakit may ganito katinding implasyon. Kaya para sa amin, yung policy and program nakakalungkot pero inutil ang gobyerno sa pagtugon…Sa totoo lang, dahil sa kanyang ginagawa ang gobyerno mismo, ang ugat ng implasyon," Ramos said.

(For us, the policies of the government are the reason behind this problem of inflation. The government is inutile in addressing the situation.)

To solve this, Ramos said there should be a "true" agrarian reform, an expansion of lands for agriculture—not commercial establishments—and government subsidies for farmers.

"Palawakin po ang papel ng gobyerno. Hindi importasyon, kundi lokal na produksyon ng pagkain ang palakasin...Ibasura po ang Rice Liberalization Law," Ramos said.

(The government’s role should be expanded. Strengthen local production of food instead of importation. Junk the Rice Liberalization Law.)

Like Dela Rosa, Ramos deemed it important to abolish cartels, saying this is one of the reasons why food prices are high.— VBL, GMA Integrated News

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