Senator Cynthia Villar on Friday renewed her commitment to improve the farmers’ lives as she gave assurance that her legislations will address the needs of the agriculture sector to attain promote food security.
Villar, chairperson of the Senate committee on Agriculture and Food, issued the statement as she led the inauguration rites for the “The Philippine Poultry Show and ILDEX Philippines 2023” at SMX Convention Center.
The event, Villar said, featured “cutting-edge technology and informative seminars focused on the poultry industry, livestock and dairy products.”
More than 100 exhibitors from over 20 countries worldwide, including prominent companies specializing in animal health, breeding and hatching, farm production, and feed ingredient and additive companies in the Philippines, participated in the event.
The senator related that one of her priority legislations was “Livestock, Poultry and Dairy Development and Competitiveness Act of 2022,” which she described as “very relevant” to the poultry industry.
“To provide additional support to the livestock, poultry and dairy industry, I am also prioritizing the passage of the Yellow Corn Industry Development Act of 2022,” she said.
The senator noted that the two bills would help boost the livestock, poultry and dairy sectors.
She said it would also give the backyard farmers the chance to improve their lives.
The senator also recalled having filed bills in response to the issues of smuggling.
“The amendment of Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016 to include the acts of hoarding, profiteering and cartel of agricultural products as economic sabotage, and the establishment of Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Courts to try cases involving smuggling, hoarding, profiteering and cartel of agricultural products and to ensure that individuals and organizations involved in these activities are held accountable for their actions,” she said.
“These are just some of the bills that I will pass to uplift our agriculture sector,” Villar said.
She reiterated her promise to the Filipino people to join them in their dream of realizing a “food sufficient-Philippines.”