Laurel seeks higher DA budget after hefty cut

Metro Manila, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) appealed for a higher budget next year after its recommendation was cut by more than half.

The agency’s original request was over ₱518 billion only to end up at ₱200.2 billion as submitted by the Executive to Congress, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. told the committee on appropriations at the House of Representatives on Monday, Aug. 12. The amount is even lower than the current outlay of ₱213 billion.

Laurel told lawmakers he hoped the DA will be given at least ₱50 billion more, and will just reallocate resources to areas with possible huge agricultural gains.

“I guess it boils down kung ano ang kaya ng gobyerno i-provide. But of course, hihingi pa kami ng konting dagdag if possible sa darating na bicam,” Laurel said.

[Translation: I guess it boils down to what the government can provide. But of course, we will ask for an increase if possible in the bicameral conference.]

“Before ma-submit ang budget natin at inaprubahan ni presidente, nakahirit pa ako kay Mr. President na dagdagan ‘yung post-harvest ng NFA (National Food Authority) ng ₱5 billion which will help a lot,” he also said.

[Translation: Before the budget was submitted and approved by the president, I got approval from the president to allocate ₱5 billion more for NFA’s post-harvest which will help a lot.]

House lawmakers supported a budget hike.

“Tell me, how can we be able in the coming year 2025 have the footing and funding to be able to have our development for agriculture and lowering the prices of basic commodities, especially rice, with this kind of budget that we have given?” Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said.

Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte also suggested at least ₱88 billion for irrigation, post-harvest facilities, and rice development program, among others.

Laurel said the budget would fund “essential interventions for agricultural modernization, increased productivity, global competitiveness, and resilience against disasters, climate change, and pandemics.”

He also pointed out that low investment in infrastructure and technology in the past three decades has hindered the agri-fisheries sector in achieving its full potential.

Deferral scare

But Zambales 1st District Rep. Jefferson Khonghun had a different take.

Khonghun moved to defer deliberations on the budget due to supposed lack of assistance to fisherfolk affected by tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

This was after a public hearing conducted in Zambales in May to know the state of affected fisherfolk.

“Nakakalungkot po no’ng kami ay nagpunta doon, halos napahiya kami kasi halos walang maibigay na tulong ang Department of Agriculture at ang BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) lalong lalo na sa suporta ng mga mangingisda tulad ng bangka,” he said.

[Translation: It was saddening when we went there. We were almost embarrassed that the Department of Agriculture and the BFAR could not give support to fishers like boats.]

The session was then suspended for around eight minutes. As deliberations resumed, Khonghun withdrew his motion after a “gentleman’s agreement,” with the DA committing the deployment of additional five boats for small fishers sailing to Scarborough Shoal.

It took the committee nine hours to finish the budget hearing.