The P50.5-billion proposed budget of the Department of Agriculture for 2017 was crafted to address the barriers that hinder the competitiveness of farmers and fisherfolk, Sen. Cynthia A. Villar said.
Villar, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, presided over the budget hearing of DA and its attached agencies under Finance Subcommittee “E” and was tasked to defend the budget in plenary.
“I am pleased to say that we have high expectations that the budget of DA next year will address the barriers that hinder Filipino farmers and fisherfolk from being more competitive and to increase their income,” Villar said.
“We have taken into consideration that the agriculture sector has had to contend with tougher competition with the opening or reintegration to the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) since last year and on top of that, climate change issues,” she added. (Ellson A. Quismorio)
