HOUSE Ways and Means Chair Joey Sarte Salceda sees promising signs in the latest unemployment data but warns that the agriculture sector requires immediate attention.
Citing the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) latest figures, Salceda highlighted significant job gains in the transport and construction sectors, which added more than 920,000 jobs combined. According to him, these industries serve as key indicators of economic growth, reflecting increased business confidence and rising consumer activity.
However, he pointed out concerns in the agricultural sector, which saw job losses. While some of these declines may be due to workers shifting to other jobs like construction and transport, Salceda stressed that deeper structural issues must be addressed.
“Palay farmgate prices have already fallen below P20 per kilo, signaling potential distress in the local agricultural industry,” he said. He warned that the tariff reduction on rice imports is hurting local farmers without significantly lowering consumer prices.
Salceda called on the Department of Agriculture (DA) to craft a “credible plan” to address these challenges. “The long-term growth prospects of the country and the value of our workforce’s wages depend almost entirely on getting agriculture right,” he emphasized.
The lawmaker’s remarks come as the government seeks to sustain economic recovery while balancing agricultural policies to protect both farmers and consumers.
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