AGAP welcomes GMA order

MANILA, Philippines - The Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines (AGAP) has expressed its gratitude to President Arroyo for her directive to stop the collection of irrigation fees from farmers.

In a forum yesterday, AGAP party-list Rep. Nicanor Briones said the President’s directive to impose a moratorium on the payment of irrigation fees, which amounts to P500 per hectare, is a great help to farmers to cope with the impact of the El Niño phenomenon.

He said the savings from the fees, plus the government’s “supplemental funds,” will help farmers and fishermen recoup their losses through alternative livelihood programs until the dry season ends.

Briones said that at present at least P11 billion worth of rice and corn have been destroyed from the 14 provinces affected by the El Niño, the hardest hit being Isabela and Tuguegarao.

At the same time, Briones echoed the proposal of postponing the barangay elections in October, with the budget intended for the election be channeled to government’s assistance funds to farmers in mitigating the harsh effects of the El Niño phenomenon.

He said the P3.2-billion budget allocation for the barangay election can greatly help the ailing agricultural sector 

“The budget for the barangay elections coupled with the supplemental funds can help alleviate the sad economic affairs of our farmers whose produce were destroyed by the dry season,” Briones said.     – Nestor Etolle