CONGRESSMAN Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee has expressed elation over AGRI Party-list being the Top 6 in Tugon ng Masa survey, an independent and non-partisan poll conducted by OCTA Research from June 26 – July 1, 2024 with a sample size of 1,200 respondents.
According to the survey, if May 2025 elections were held during the survey period, about 2.60% of likely voters would vote for AGRI Party-list which would secure two Congressional seats.
“Lubos po tayong nagpapasalamat sa suporta at tiwala ng ating mga kababayan sa AGRI Party-list. Patunay po ito na nagbubunga ang tapat at todo-kayod nating pagsisikap para tuparin ang mandatong ipinagkaloob ng taumbayan,” Lee said.
“Nagsisilbing inspirasyon at hamon po ito para sa lahat ng bumubuo sa AGRI Party-list sa bawat dako ng bansa para lalo pang pagbutihin ang trabaho at paglilingkod sa Pilipino,” he added.
Founded in 2005, AGRI Party-list has been championing the rights and welfare of farmers, fisherfolk, and the development of agriculture and marginalized sectors.
This 19th Congress, under the leadership of Lee, AGRI Party-list principally authored Republic Act (RA) No. 11953 or the “New Agrarian Emancipation Act” which frees 610,054 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) from debt, including interests, penalties, and surcharges incurred.
Also as principal author, the AGRI Party-list Representative pushed for the passage of RA 11985 or the “Philippine Salt Industry Development Act”. This landmark measure aims to revitalize the country’s salt industry that would create thousands of new jobs, especially in rural areas.
AGRI is currently pushing for the enactment of House Bill (HB) No. 9020 or the “Cheaper Rice Act” which would mandate the government to buy local palay with an additional P5-P10 per kilo on the prevailing farmgate price. This will increase the income of local farmers whom Lee considers as “food security soldiers” and boost the supply of rice and lower its price in the market.
Through Lee’s proposed House Bill No. 3957, AGRI is also pushing for the establishment of Kadiwa centers nationwide to improve the market linkages of local producers. Meanwhile, House Bill No. 3958 aims to provide more support to post-harvest facilities.
AGRI likewise seeks more budget for the digitization of the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) for the effective distribution of government’s assistance to farmers and fisherfolk.
“Sa pagsasaayos ng listahan ng RSBSA para ipamahagi ang mga ayuda at serbisyo sa mga magsasaka at mangingisda, at pagpapasa ng ating mga panukalang batas sa paglalaan ng tiyak na budget taon-taon para sa Kadiwa centers at post-harvest facilities, masisiguro ang tuloy-tuloy na suporta sa ating food security soldiers mula pagtatanim, anihan, hanggang sa pagbebenta ng kanilang produkto sa merkado,” the solon from Bicol said.
And in an effort to boost information dissemination on the health benefits for farmers, fisherfolk, and all Filipinos nationwide, AGRI Party-list recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
It can be recalled that Lee successfully pushed for the 30% increase in PhilHealth benefits which was recognized by PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer (PCEO) Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. as the “spark” that led to the benefit hike implemented last February 14.
Alongside Lee, AGRI also persistently advocates for the institutionalization of “No Balance Billing”, full coverage for dialysis, cancer treatment, heart bypass surgery, and other major hospital operations, as well as the inclusion of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Computed Tomography (CT) scan, and all other diagnostic tests in the urgent care packages of PhilHealth, underscoring that availability of these tests shouldn’t be limited to inpatient care.
“Hindi titigil ang AGRI sa pagsusulong ng mga polisiya at programa para mapagaan ang pasanin ng taumbayan. Ang paniwala natin: Filipinos deserve better so we should demand better services for them,” the solon stated.
“Sa patuloy na pakikiisa ng taumbayan, marami pa tayong magagawa. Ang tiwala po ninyo sa akin at sa AGRI Party-list ay pagsuporta ninyo sa ating layunin na ‘Murang pagkain, gawin na natin. Mga tiyak na trabaho, gawin na natin. Patas at de-kalidad na serbisyong pangkalusugan, gawin na natin!’” he added.
Party-lists who were also part of the Top 10 in OCTA’s Tugon ng Masa survey are ACT-CIS, 4Ps, Senior Citizens, Tingog, Abang Lingkod, Angat Pinoy, ACT Teachers, 1-Rider, and Uswag Ilonggo
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