Liberal Party vice presidential candidate Leni Robredo delivers her speech message during a meeting of thousands of fishermen, farmers, indigenous peoples (IPs) and other groups from different regions and provinces of the country at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City on Friday (April 15, 2016). (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Liberal Party (LP) vice presidential candidate Leni Robredo urges the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) to fully accelerate the implementation of the P19-billion Roadmap to Address the Impact of El Niño (RAIN) to effectively combat the effects of dry spell on the agriculture sector.
“Hanggang ngayon, marami pa ring lugar ang apektado ng El Niño na hindi pa rin nararamdaman ang buong tulong ng pamahalaan. Kaya marapat lang na ipatupad nang buo ang RAIN para malabanan ang epekto ng tagtuyot,” said Robredo.
“Ginawa ang roadmap na ito upang labanan ang pagtuyot kaya dapat nating itodo ang lahat ng tulong, lalo na sa mga magsasaka, na direktang naapektuhan ng El Niño,” she added.
Robredo even mentioned the NEDA’s latest report to Malacanang, underscoring the need to increase support for farmers to augment their incomes through programs such as cash-for-work and emergency employment.
The RAIN is aimed at mitigating the impact of the El Niño phenomenon on four areas –food security, energy security, health and safety. The action plan focuses on 67 El Niño-affected provinces throughout the country, including Metro Manila.
“Dapat nang maisakatuparan ang plano upang mabawasan ang pasaning dala ng ating mga magsasaka at matulungan silang makatawid habang naghihintay na mawala ang epekto ng El Niño,” Robredo said.
Robredo said she received reports that six municipalities, collectively known as BAKAS municipalities, in Zamboanga, still need assistance from the national government despite declaring a state of calamity in their area.
The municipalities—composed of Sindangan and Siayan in Zamboanga del Norte and Dumingag, Mahayag, Midsalip and Sominot in Zamboanga del Sur—are hoping that the government will expedite the process of assessment and implementation to fully address the needs of the agriculture sector in the area.
A lawyer for the poor, Robredo provided free legal aid to the marginalized sectors of society, including farmers, fishermen and abused women for a long time before becoming the representative of the 3rd District of Camarines Sur.
From sixth place in October, she is now in second place in the recent survey results with a few weeks to go before the elections. (MNS)