Press Release - Bong Go reiterates need for gov't to focus on food security, uplifting agriculture workers as he expresses support for DA proposed programs

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) to strengthen government support for agricultural workers to help ensure food security in the country while also expressing his support to the current efforts of the department as well as its proposed budget and programs for the next year.

Go's statement follows the result of a recent Pulse Asia survey, which identified assistance to farmers, increased pay for workers, and poverty reduction as urgent national issues.

The senator said he believes that a well-funded DA can help bolster food security and improve the lives of agricultural workers. It is for this reason that Go extended his support for a substantial proposed budget for the agriculture department during the Senate Finance sub-committee hearing on Thursday, October 5, which was presided by Senator Cynthia Villar.

"Dapat po ay masaya ang ating mga farmers, dapat po sa pagtitinda nila ng kanilang mga produkto ay dapat po (may) sapat na kita (sila). Alam mo kapag hindi masaya ang ating mga farmers, marami pong maaapektuhan, marami pong maghihirap. Government intervention (ang dapat palakasin)," said Go in an interview after his visit to Antipolo City on October 5.

"Itulong n'yo po sa mahihirap nating kababayan. Ibigay n'yo po sa mga farmers, ibigay n'yo po sa mahihirap, sa mga poor and indigents na ating mga kababayan. Dapat po mapakinabangan nila ang pondo ng bayan. At wala pong masayang na pondo, wala pong ma-underutilized na hindi nagagamit. Gamitin n'yo po ang pondo, pera po ng tao 'yan, pera ng gobyerno 'yan. Ibalik n'yo po sa tao ang pera ng gobyerno sa pamamagitan ng maayos na serbisyo. Sa panahon ng krisis, dapat government intervention kaagad," he urged.

Recognizing their immense contributions to the country's food production, Go stressed that the backbone of the country's food supply is the dedicated agricultural workforce, and it is essential to provide them with adequate support and resources.

Go was one of the authors of Republic Act No. 11901, which expanded the financing framework for agriculture, fisheries, and rural