The
Philippines' agricultural sector has seen "radical progression" since
2010 because of government support, Department of Agriculture (DA)
Undersecretary Segfredo Serrano said on Tuesday (Sept. 29).
"In the past few years, 2011 up to now, you have seen radical progression of budgetary support from the Congress and also sponsored by the President," Serrano noted during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Food Security Week and High Level Policy Dialogue on Food Security and the Blue Economy.
In 2010, before President Benigno S. Aquino III came into power, the DA's budget was P20 billion. This went up significantly that by 2013, the budget was P64 billion, which is 4.6 times the P14 billion budget in 2004.
From 2009 to 2012, the average DA budget was P4.1 billion. This was 52 percent higher than the average P27 billion from 2004 to 2008.
This year, President Aquino approved an P88-billion budget for the department.
"This substantial increase of (resources) has enabled us to reach more of our constituents," Serrano said.
He however admitted that farmer groups have been continually advocating for a higher budget share, "saying they need more."
Serrano said such calls are "true in the areas we still need to cover".
This year's APEC theme of inclusive growth highlights the need for all sectors to be involved in boosting the country's economy. (PNA/PCOO News Release)
"In the past few years, 2011 up to now, you have seen radical progression of budgetary support from the Congress and also sponsored by the President," Serrano noted during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Food Security Week and High Level Policy Dialogue on Food Security and the Blue Economy.
In 2010, before President Benigno S. Aquino III came into power, the DA's budget was P20 billion. This went up significantly that by 2013, the budget was P64 billion, which is 4.6 times the P14 billion budget in 2004.
From 2009 to 2012, the average DA budget was P4.1 billion. This was 52 percent higher than the average P27 billion from 2004 to 2008.
This year, President Aquino approved an P88-billion budget for the department.
"This substantial increase of (resources) has enabled us to reach more of our constituents," Serrano said.
He however admitted that farmer groups have been continually advocating for a higher budget share, "saying they need more."
Serrano said such calls are "true in the areas we still need to cover".
This year's APEC theme of inclusive growth highlights the need for all sectors to be involved in boosting the country's economy. (PNA/PCOO News Release)
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