Gov’t allots P1.2B for organic agri program

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno S. Aquino recently instructed the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to allot at least two percent of the DA’s annual budget for national organic agriculture program.

He issued the directive Nov. 8, during the 8th National Organic Agriculture Conference, at the Aquino Center, Hacienda Luisita, in Tarlac City, where he was joined by Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala and Tarlac Governor Victor Yap. More than 1,000 farmers, organic farming advocates, entrepreneurs and resource persons attended the four-day event, jointly spearheaded by the DA and the provincial government of Tarlac.

The President said he expects the DA to continuously exert efforts to implement the policies and programs to hasten the growth of organic farming in the country. In tandem with the DBM, he assured the DA would allot no less than two percent of its annual budget to implement the organic farming program, as called for under the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 (Republic Act 10068).

“Inaasahan ko ang tuloy-tuloy na pagdodoble-kayod ng Department of Agriculture sa pagbuo at pagpapatupad ng mga polisiya at programa na magpapabilis sa pag-unlad ng organic farming sa bansa, sa ilalim ng kanilang National Organic Agriculture Program,” the President said.

“Katuwang naman ang Department of Budget and Management, sisiguruhin natin na mailalaan ng DA ang hindi bababa sa dalawang porsiyento ng kanilang taunang budget sa pagpapatupad sa nabanggit na programa, alinsunod sa RA 10068,” he added.

For his part, Alcala – one of the main authors of RA 10068 during his second term as representative of the 2nd district of Quezon – said this means the DA will allot at least P1.2 billion starting next year to implement various initiatives and projects under the national organic agriculture program. This year, it has budget of P900M.The DA proposes a total budget of P61.73 billion for 2012.

The President said that while government is expanding access of each Filipino family to sufficient food, government should vigorously promote new technologies to restore the richness and productivity of farmlands through organic agriculture.

“Habang pinapalawak natin ang access ng bawat pamilya sa sapat na pagkain, kailangan din nating pag-igtingin ang pagpapalaganap ng mga kaalaman at teknolohiya na magpapanumbalik sa kalusugan ng mga lupang sakahan,” the President said. “Dito pumapasok ang halaga ng organic agriculture,” he added.

For his part, Secretary Alcala said the organic farming movement in the country has achieved a milestone during the 8th national organic agriculture conference, as it was the first time a President graced the annual event.– DA Information Service, (The Philippine Star)