Gordon to ensure development of agriculture, protection of farmers

TUGUEGARAO CITY - To ensure improved food production, Bagumbayan Party presidential bet Sen. Richard Gordon will prioritize the development of agriculture and the protection of farmers once elected to the highest post in the land.

Gordon, speaking before students of the Central Colleges of Tuguegarao, underscored the importance of keeping abreast with the latest technological innovations in agriculture to improve food production so the country could stop importing.

"Malaking bahagi ng ating agricultural lands ang hindi fully irrigated o hindi irrigated. Pag na-irrigate mo lahat iyan, we don't have to import rice," he said.

"Dapat yung mga eskwelahan, tulungang i-train ang ating mga farmers sa makabagong pamamaraan ng pagsasaka para ma-doble ang ani. Maglagay ng mga post harvest facilities, gaya ng silo at drying facilities para hindi sa highway nagbibilad ng palay," he added.

Noting that due to climate change, the El Niño and La Niña phenomena, alternately take turns in holding the country in its grip, the senator proposed the creation of water catchment basins in the agricultural areas to hold the rainwater so it can be used to irrigate lands during the dry season.

Gordon said inmates in minimum security prison can be allowed to come out to dig the water catchment basins and repair the irrigation systems. They can be given an allowance or the days they will work would be taken as points for good behavior as reward for their hard labor.

The Bagumbayan standard bearer added that his administration will ensure the protection of farmers because they feed the people.

"My first rule is that the farmer has to be protected because they are in-charge of the country's food security. Kaya dapat bigyan mo ng lahat ng gamit yung farmer, gaya ng post-harvest facilities," he said.

"I am not adverse to subsidizing agriculture. Bakit yung ibang bansa pwede, tayo hindi? Sa Japan, subsidized ng gobyerno ang agriculture kaya ang farmers protected," he added.