GMA urged to sign organic farming bill

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo was urged yesterday to sign the proposed Organic Agricultural Act of 2010, which the Senate and the House of Representatives have approved before adjourning for the election campaign.

In making the call, Quezon Rep. Proceso Alcala said the proposed law “promotes a collective approach of using organic fertilizers, which will ensure soil fertility and increased production, reduce pollution, and bring about a cleaner environment.”

“It will also prevent natural resources depletion, protect the health of farmers and consumers, and enable farmers to save on farm inputs,” he said.

Alcala, who is author of the measure, said it would encourage the establishment of processing plants for organic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides.

“With the signing of the bill into law, farmers and consumers will soon learn the multitude of benefits organic farming could bring to them and to mother nature,” he added.

The proposed law creates the National Organic Agricultural Board, which would oversee the promotions, propagation and further development of organic farming.

The board would extend assistance to local government units, people’s organizations and other stakeholders, including individuals and groups engaged in organize agriculture.

The agriculture committee of the House of Representatives chaired by Palawan Rep. Abraham Mitra and his Senate counterpart Loren Legarda had endorsed Alcala’s bill.

Various organizations involved and engaged in organic faming had supported the measure’s passage.

Earlier, the President signed a bill, also authored by Alcala, which designates the Mt. Banahaw in Quezon as a national park and a protected forested area.

Though he could seek a third and last term as representative of Quezon’s second district, Alcala, who is ending his second term on June 30, has decided to quit politics.

“I wanted to show to our people that you can quit even at the peak of your political career,” he once told The STAR.

He said he would continue to help his constituents as a private citizen.

With funds from his own pocket and his pork barrel, he had helped farmers in his district grow high value crops, such as vegetables for salad and even strawberries, which used to grow only in the Baguio area because of the cool weather.

He also set up vegetable trading centers, where farmers sell their produce to traders from Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon.