Support services to farmers insufficient – Cayetano

MANILA, Philippines - In Daraga, Albay, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said government support services to farmers are not contributing to improve their quality of life.

Cayetano met with members of the Daraga Organic Farmers Federation, Buragwis Women’s Associate and the Barangay Agriculture and Fisheries Council during a consultative meeting at the Cagsawa Ruins Thursday morning.

He said that despite available resources, Bicol still ranks third among the poorest regions in the country due to lack of funding, inadequate extension services and research and marketing to help local farmers become entrepreneurs.

“They could have cleansed the Department of Agriculture because of the stigma of the fertilizer scam and the swine scam. Our farmers are suffering a lot to do the things on their own,” Cayetano said.

He said the purpose of his consultation with the people of Daraga is to find out whether the 6.6-gross domestic product is trickling down to the grassroots.

Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano, Cayetano’s wife, comes from Tiwi town in Albay.