Baguio City—Local farmers are hopeful that the ongoing Senate probe into agricultural smuggling will uncover the protectors behind the illegal practice, which they said has been going on for at least 20 years now, and lead to arrests and prosecution of all persons involved to give Filipino growers justice.
This was expressed by Ms. Agot Balanoy, manager of the Hi-Land Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative, to Partido Reporma chairman and standard-bearer Panfilo “Ping” Lacson when they met in Baguio City on Saturday.
Balanoy also presented Lacson with bundles of fruits and vegetables as thanks for leading, along with his running mate and Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, the investigation into the smuggling that has hurt Filipino farmers twice over, what with the illegal goods from abroad flooding local markets and the prevailing coronavirus pandemic.
“We are very thankful kasi first time na magkaroon ng Senate investigation. Problema namin ito since year 2001 pero ngayon lang siya mapapansin na maimbestigahan sa Senate. On behalf of the farmers, talagang nagpapasalamat kami at napansin din lang,” the manager of the co-op based in La Trinidad, Benguet told local media.
[We are thankful for the Senate investigation. This has been our problem since 2001, but is only being acted on now as the Senate has finally taken notice and is investigating. On behalf of the farmers, we are truly grateful that they have noticed.]
“So, we are hoping na sana ‘yung result ay magiging maganda. Sana may mahuhuli sa mga smuggler, ‘yung mga protector nila sana mahuli din, para naman mabuhay din ‘yung mga farmer natin na local,” Balanoy added.
[We are hoping for a good result, for smugglers to be caught and for their protectors also, so that local farmers can thrive again.]
The former national police chief and Sotto were both in Baguio ahead of their scheduled visit to La Trinidad on Saturday for another leg of Partido Reporma’s “Online Kumustahan” series, which will then shift to Lingayen, Pangasinan on Sunday.
Lacson was also the guest of honor at the Philippine Military Academy’s blessing of its new Cadet Barracks and was the keynote speaker at the golden anniversary reunion of his PMA “Matatag” Class of 1971.
The veteran senator told Balanoy to keep coordinating with and helping the Senate with evidence against agricultural smugglers, so they could strengthen the planned cases of economic sabotage against the protectors and persons behind the illegal practice and bring them to justice swiftly.
Meanwhile, although they belong to different generations, Lacson and Sotto believe that the hope and future of the Philippines rest on the abilities of the youth sector.
The Lacson-Sotto tandem met with the officials and members of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) on Friday as guest keynote speakers during the “Tumindig” Youth Empowerment forum held at the Baguio Convention Center.
Also, with their shared vision of living in a country where technology is being used to create data-driven solutions that will address modern-day problems instead of tearing society apart, Lacson said he is impressed where this city is going next under the leadership of his former apprentice Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong.
