SPEAKER Faustino Dy III has reaffirmed his commitment to champion the welfare of Filipino farmers, assuring them that the House of Representatives will always keep its doors open to the agricultural sector and other marginalized groups.
Dy made the commitment during a courtesy call of farmers from Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, and Isabela, led by former Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano who raised proposals for improved crop insurance and livelihood support programs.
Dy, who represents the First District of Isabela and previously served as governor of the province, said his deep respect for farmers is rooted in his experience in leading a province sustained by agriculture.
The lifeblood of the province of Isabela is our hardworking farmers. So we have high respect and recognition for them. We always respond to their needs and challenges—from land, water, to livelihood,” Dy said in Filipino.
The farmers expressed full support for Dy’s thrust to restore the rice import tariff rate to 35 percent from the current 15 percent, saying it would help protect local producers from the influx of imported rice.
The farmers said their trip paid off as they could feel the Speaker’s genuine concerns for the agriculture sector.
Dy welcomed the farmers’ proposed suggestions and cited the programs of the provincial government of Isabela as examples of inclusive agricultural development.
Among these programs were scholarship grants for farmers’ children and continued support for farm productivity.
According to the Speaker, their programs in Isabela focused not only on crop production, but also on the future of the farmers’ families. “That is also what we want to promote at the national level—a system that recognizes, protects and helps our farmers,” he said.
Dy also renewed his call to revisit Republic Act 11203, or the Rice Tariffication Law, to ensure that it truly serves the interests of local farmers.
The Speaker and the farmers also discussed long-term infrastructure needs, including a planned highway connecting Metro Manila to Regions 2 and 3 to reduce transport costs and improve access to markets.
