With the continuous increase in the prices of goods in the market, the first nominee of the Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines, Inc. (AGAP) Partylist, Congressman Nicanor “Nick” Briones, reiterated his commitment to uplift the rights and welfare of Filipino farmers and fisherfolk.
In the Bakit Ikaw: The DZRH Job Interview on Tuesday, Briones underscored the pressing issues plaguing the agricultural sector and acknowledged the current state of the farmers in the country, describing as the “pinakamahirap ng sektor sa bansa, ang mga magsasaka,” he explained.
He justified his continued push for re-election despite having served three terms in Congress by stating that he did not see any progress on the measures he had fought for in Congress to address the sector.
“Dahil ka-deo hindi ko pa nakikita ang resulta ang mahaba naming pakikipaglaban, dahil sa totoo lang ‘yung hinahangad namin na umunlad ang magsasaka at mangingisda. Magkaroon tayo ng sapat na pagkain, yung bumaba ang mga bilihin para sa ating mga Pilipino, hindi pa nangyayari,” Briones stated.
His strategy to combat agricultural anomalies
One of Briones' key advocacies has been the fight against smuggling, hoarding, and price manipulation in the agricultural sector.
To address agricultural anomalies, he played a significant role in the passage of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, which imposes lifetime imprisonment and non-bailable penalties on those involved in smuggling, hoarding, and forming cartels if the amount involved exceeds PHP 10 million.
“Ito ang anti-agriculture economic sabotage act, kung saan ang tinutugis nito ay yung nagpapahirap sa agrikultura. ‘Yan nag smuggler, hoarder, proprietor, kartel, at ito’y priority bill ng ating pangulong at sinabi niya don sa SONA bilang na ang araw ng mga smuggler, hoarder, proprieter, at cartel. At talagang seryoso na kanyang hahabulin, at ginawa niyang priority bill itong batas na ito,” he explained.
Briones believed that agricultural smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and cartels as the major hindrances to the progress of the farming industry.
When asked why no high-profile smugglers or hoarders have been imprisoned despite numerous Congressional hearings and investigations, Briones pointed out that the old system was ineffective.
However, under the new law, he highlighted recent successful raids and arrests, including operations against profiteering and economic sabotage cases involving massive rice and mackerel smuggling.
“Sa katunayan, ni-raid ng NBI at ng DA ang isang wearhouse na puno ng bigas na nirerepack, profiteering ang kaso. At kahit luma. So hoarding kaya nag kaso nito economic sabotage, so apat 4 agad yung kinulong non-baliable yun at lifetime imprisonment,” the secretary added.
Addressing livestock and poultry industry concerns
In the ‘Man in the street’ part of the program with Boy Gonzales, consumers like Nanay Iza from Intramuros have raised concerns about the rising prices of pork and eggs.
Briones responded to the need for comprehensive reforms in the livestock and poultry industries. He also shared that AGAP and the hog-raising sector have coordinated with Department of Agriculture Secretary Bersamin “Koko” Laurel Tiu to lower farmgate prices to PHP 230 per kilo.
“We have worked with the sector to bring down farmgate prices of pork to Php 230, and the government has set maximum suggested retail prices for pork and eggs. However, we need stricter regulations to ensure fair pricing across the supply chain,” he stated.
“Ngayon nakipag-isa ang lahat ng magbabababoy sa buong bnasa kay secretary Kiko Laurel ay ibaba, dati nag 250, 260, 300 na ang farmgate price lalo sa ibang lugar. Nakipag-isa ang aming sektor dahil ayaw rin naming magsuffer ng tuluyan ang ating mga mamimili,” he explained.
“Binaba namin to 230 pesos ang farmgate price. So, dapat ang karne ng baboy na ginawa ni secretary erong maximum srp na 350 ang kasim at laman, 380 ang liempo dapat yana nag nangyayari dahil base sa dahil sa farmgate price 230,” Briones added.
He also pushed for the Animal Industry Development Enhancement Bill, which has passed both the House and Senate. The bill seeks to allocate funds from import tariffs on meat and dairy products to support the local livestock and poultry industries.
Since the passage of the Anti-Economic Sabotage Law, the Philippine National Police (PNP) Director for Intelligence has reported 1,400 operations and 1,174 arrests.
With this, Briones expressed gratitude for these developments but insisted that "jackpotting" major smugglers and cartel leaders is necessary for long-term success.
“Marami na talagang nakukulong at nahuhuli, non-bailable ito kailangan lang ma-jackpotan natin ang mismong may ari ng kumpanya, may-ari ng warehouse, may-ari ng bigas, may-ari ng kung ano man ang kanilang inismuggle kinakartel, hinohoard. Para makita ng ating magsasaka, mangingisda na pinakamahirap sa ngayon ay magkaroon sila ng bagong pag-asa, maawa tayo sa ating mga kababayan na nagpapakain sa atin,” he stated.
Future legislative initiatives: securing funds for the agriculture sector
Briones is pushing for the Animal Industry Development Enhancement Bill, which has already passed Congress and the Senate.
“Ang ibig sabihin meron na tayong pondo na hindi bababa sa 30 billion every year na dati wala tayong ganoon kalaki. Minsan kasya lang para sa sweldo ng mga nasa livestock and poultry sa Department of Agriculture,” he ensured.
Funds from the bill will be also used for post-harvest facilities, cold storage, biosecurity measures, ASF and bird flu mitigation, and repopulation efforts.
"So, kailangan makabalik yan dahil napakaraming tao ang nawala ng trabaho ng hanap-buhay,” Briones stressed.
He shared that the AGAP Partylist was founded to provide farmers and fisherfolk with a voice in combating these economic adversities.
As the 2025 elections approach, Briones remains committed to his mission to uplift the lives of Filipino farmers and ensure food security for all.
