Hernani "Nani" Braganza, the First Nominee of Aksyon Dapat Partylist, emphasized the critical need for support and protection for the agricultural sector, highlighting that farmers, particularly the "ordinary ones," are among the most struggling groups in the country.
In the Bakit Ikaw: The DZRH Job Interview on Wednesday, Braganza stressed that in the Philippines, people inherit not only wealth but also poverty.
"Yung mga sektor ng agrikultura, sila ang pinakamahirap sa ating bansa. Lalong-lalo na ang mga ordinaryong magsasaka," said Braganza.
He shared his experience during his visits to Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya, where they are currently harvesting onions and tomatoes. He mentioned that the farmgate price of onions is currently below P100 per kilo, but in Manila, it has reached as high as P800 per kilo.
Furthermore, he pointed out that the current farmgate price for tomatoes is just P3 per kilo, forcing farmers to give them away. In some instances, the tomatoes are being thrown away.
"Ang sinasabi nila kakulangan ng suporta ng gobyerno, ‘yun ang pangunahing problema nila. Masyadong mahal ang mga fertilizer, problema ng patubig, and higit sa lahat ay kawalan ng kapital," Braganza explained.
"So hindi pa nagsisimula ang pagsasaka, baon na sa utang. Kaya ang dulo niyan, ang magsasaka naging magsasako na lang," he added.
Braganza stated that what they are advocating for in Aksyon Dapat is a comfortable life for ordinary Filipino families and good governance.
Concrete support for the agricultural sector and farmers
Meanwhile, he clarified that he is not against providing "ayuda," but what they are advocating for is giving farmers discounts when purchasing fertilizers or other essential farm supplies like gasoline.
He pointed out that assisting farmers could help lower their expenses, which, in turn, might lead to a reduction in the prices of goods.
"Ganon din ang transport sector, bigyan mo ng diskwento sa gasolina, posibleng bumaba ang pamasahe," he added.
Additionally, he mentioned that this approach is better than campaign-style aid, which he described as reaching people directly but providing only short-term assistance.
The former government official is also pushing for the modernization of the agricultural sector, aiming to improve farmers' competitiveness and raise their income.
"At syempre ang mga post-harvest facilities – bodega, cold storages – para may control ang magsasaka sa kanyang produkto," Braganza added.
Braganza also explained that the main factors driving down the prices of crops are hoarders and smugglers, citing that the country is a net importer of agricultural products.
"Ang dapat mong protektahan sa agricultural sector ay dalawa – ang sektor ng magsasaka at ang namimili ng produkto ng magsasaka," said Braganza.
"Ang problema kasi ng gobyerno natin, hindi katulad ng ibang bansa, nagpapatanim ng sibuyas, kapag ubos na ang sibuyas atsaka lang papapasukin ang imported. Ang smuggler, kahit anong oras dahil may kakuntsaba sa gobyerno, nilalabas ang produkto. Patay ang presyo ng ating mga produktong pang-agrikultura," he added.
Proposed solutions to address inflation
He exclaimed that the country's problem is that its exports are not products, but people, stating that the economy is "export-driven," but its exports are its citizens.
Moreover, he suggested that the solution lies in boosting local production in the Philippines, which would generate businesses and employment for Filipinos, reducing the need for imports.
Braganza served as the former mayor of Alaminos, Pangasinan, and also held the position of Secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform during the Arroyo administration.
Their party-list claims to fight for the people, stating that they will be the public's CCTV in Congress and will thoroughly scrutinize the country's budget.
