Sen. Cynthia Villar said the legislations she filed in Congress are geared to improve farmers’ earnings and standard of living.
She noted that farmers still face challenges that need government intervention to move forward,
“That is why I made it my goal to uplift the lives of Filipino farmers in every legislation I write,” Villar, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Food and Agriculture, said.
Villar was the guest speaker during the 29th Hog Convention and Trade Exhibits with the theme: “The Future of Pork Production: Efficient. Productive. Sustainable.”
The event held at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City was sponsored by the National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc. and the Pork Producers Federation of the Phils. Inc.
In her speech, Villar related that during the previous years, she had written bills that were passed into law. She said these bills are now benefiting farmers.
She related that among her priority legislations this 19th Congress is the “Livestock, Poultry and Dairy Development and Competitiveness Act of 2022.”
She further said to provide additional support to the livestock, poultry and dairy industry, she will prioritize the passage of the “Yellow Corn Industry Development Act of 2022.”
Both of these bills, she said, are already in the final stages of the Technical Working Group by her committee.
This year’s Hog Convention aims to show the different facets of the pork industry from introducing the basics of pork production to those interested in the industry to providing new insights and best practices that old-timers may not be aware of.
“This three-day event features trade exhibits showcasing the latest in veterinary products, innovative equipment and hog-related services as well as seminars on a variety of topics that can help pork producers elevate their productivity and boost their bottom line,” further stated the senator.
According to the senator, the hog industry is one of the sectors that was greatly affected by the pandemic. She said this was on top of the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) that crippled many of our hog raisers.
“But the industry had remained resilient amid the challenges and bounced back. We slowly recovered in 2022 until we entered 2023,” she said.
In 2022, pork inputs has increased to 400,000 MT compared to USDA’s official data 375,000 MT following the issuance of EO No. 171, Series of 2022.
Villar said that the industry will be better unless ASF recurrence will not be stopped.