Rico proposes subsidy for hybrid rice, corn planters

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By JUNE S. BLANCO

   

HYBRID rice and corn planters all over the country stand to get subsidies for seeds and fertilizers the the bill Rep. Erico Aumentado (Bohol, 2nd District) will file tomorrow passes into law.

Convinced that his pilot pet projects in his district have taken off, Aumentado is pushing the bill in order to attain rice and corn self sufficiency for the Philippines in support of the Aquino administration’s food security program – and in the process, become an exporter of the commodities.

Aumentado said he wants to replicate all over the country the success in his district which is anchored on the experience during the Marcos presidency when the Philippines, with then Executive Sec. Rafael Salas and Agriculture Sec. Arturo “Bong” Tangco as spearheads – succeeded to become rice and corn self sufficient and an exporter to neighboring countries.

The solon said the government succeeded because of its programs on Masagana 99 for rice and Masagana 55 for corn, and subsidy given to the farmers.

The subsidy he envisions consists of hybrid rice and corn seeds, fertilizer, insecticides and post harvest facilities. This way, the Filipino rice and corn farmers can compete globally.

In his explanatory note, he said the strategy is a paradigm shift from the present trend of importing rice and corn from producers abroad thereby indirectly subsidizing foreign farmers instead of the Filipinos engaged in the same rice and corn production.

Subsidizing and strengthening the Filipino farmers can rapidly increase the economic multiplier effects of the program, he explained, making the agriculture sector a major player in increasing the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country, and open more windows of opportunity for the Philippines to attain the coveted investment grade by Standard and Poor Fitch Rating Service and Moody’s Investors Service.

The amount needed for the purpose shall be charged against the current budget of the Department of Agriculture (DA), and thereafter, to the regular annual appropriations to ensure continuity.

The DA is tasked to promulgate the necessary guidelines within 60 days from approval of the legislation.