Pangilinan: Huwag naman maging Department of Angkat na ang ating DA
Pangilinan: Huwag naman maging Department of Angkat na ang ating DA
SENATOR Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan has expressed his dismay as the Department of Agriculture (DA) imports small pelagic fishes like galunggong despite strong opposition, saying it's acting like a "Department of Angkat."
According to Pangilinan, the DA has no remedy other than importing goods from other countries when beset by crisis -- the latest of which is importing 60,000 metric tons of galunggong.
"Yan ang nakakalungkot sa lahat: na umaangkat na tayo ng galunggong sa ibang bansa. Parang naging Department of Angkat na ang ating DA dahil pati ang galunggong ay inaangkat na din," Pangilinan said.
"Ang sabi ng ating mga mangingisda at iba't ibang fishing industries, wala namang shortage. So talagang kataka-taka talaga itong nangyayari dito na inuuna pa ang mga fishermen sa ibang bansa," he said.
"Ang pinakamalaking supplier natin ng isda ay China so pwede na rin nating sabihin na inuuna pa ang mga interes ng Chinese fishermen na mukhang sa atin din galing ang mga isda nila," he added.
This is not the first time that DA decided in favor of imported products as it also gave the green light to import vegetables and fruits from other countries last year.
Pangilinan describes this as insult to the competence and hard work shown by the country's farmers and fishermen.
"Hindi lang naman isda ang ini-import natin. Dati noong nagkaroon din tayo ng problema sa prutas at gulay, importation din ang naging solusyon ng DA. Imbes na buhusan pa ng suporta ang ating mga mangingisda't magsasaka, ang pamahalaan pa ang mistulang nagbubulag-bulagan sa pangangailangan nila," Pangilinan said.
"Itong pag-i-import ng iba't ibang produkto sa ibang bansa ay isang malaking insulto sa kasipagan at dedikasyon ng ating mga manginisda't magsasaka. Bigyan naman natin sila ng pagpapahalaga. Kaya nga nandiyan ang pamahalaan upang umalalay at hind imaging dagdag pasanin sa kanila," he added.
The former food security secretary said that should he win the vice-presidency, he will focus on programs that will help farmers and fisherfolks increase their production as this will achieve food security for the country.
"Kapag dumami naman kasi ang ating huli, lahat tayo'y makikinabang. Magiging mura na ang ating isda at kapag abot kaya na, mawawala na ang gutom. Hello pagkain, goodbye gutom," he said.
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