In line with the challenges brought by the Rice Tarrification Law (RTL), the Department of Agriculture urges the municipal agriculture officers to look at the positive side and change their way of thinking regarding RTL.
DA – MiMaRoPa together with municipal agriculture officers (MAOs) of Oriental Mindoro joined the entire nation in commemorating the 1st-anniversary of RTL. The commemoration of RTL was held on March 5, 2020 at the Agricultural Training Center- Regional Training Center in Barcenaga, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro .
DA-MiMaRoPa Regional Executive Director Antonio G. Gerundio, ATI- MiMaRoPa Regional Director Pat Andrew Barrientos, and DA Rice Program adviser Dr. Santiago Obien were the panelists in the said event.
Dir. Gerundio welcomed the participants representing the fourteen municipalities and one city (Calapan) of Oriental Mindoro. He discussed pertinent issues brought about by RTL affecting farmers in the province.
Gerundio urged the MAOs to consider the benefits which are derived from tarrification since there is already an existing law about importation of rice. “Ang mga taripang makukuha sa imported rice ay gagamitin pambigay ng ayuda sa ating mga magsasaka upang mas mapaganda ang kanilang produksyon at makahabol sa ibang bansa sa produksyon ng palay,” (The tarrifs collected in rice importation will be used in providing assistance to farmers to increase rice production and become globally competitive) he added.
He made a commitment to help affected farmers from RTL by providing them with adequate assistance through Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).
ATI MiMaRoPa Center Chief Barrientos encouraged participants to convert their farm into farm school to get an extra income of P140,000 a month by just training a batch of 25 TESDA or ATI scholars. “Mas marami pa po silang ma-itrain na farmers, mas malaki ang magiging extra income nila,” (The more farmers they train, the bigger extra income they will have) Barrientos said.
Dr. Obien discussed comprehensively the eight paradigms propounded by Agriculture Secretary William Dar. The eight paradigms or way of thinking are essential in order to attain the country's goal of growing the agriculture sector. Hence, Dr. Obien advised the municipal agriculturists to provide farmers with quality hybrid seeds which produces a higher yield compared to inbred rice seeds. He said that it is important to produce enough rice not only in the province but also to help sustain the rice requirement of the entire country as well. That mindset will enable farmers to overcome the challenges brought by the RTL. “Kung magtatanim tayo ng palay, isipin na natin ang produksyon para sa buong bansa hindi lamang sa probinsya natin, kung ganun ang magiging mindset natin, malalampasan natin ang hamon ng RTL,” Obien said.
Towards the end of the program, the participants together with the panelist and other DA-MiMaRoPa and ATI Officials shows the number 1 sign as a gesture of support to the first anniversary of RTL. The event was held simultaneously with the RTL Celebration graced by Agriculture Secretary William Dar and Sen. Cynthia Villar in Urdaneta, Pangasinan.
