for helping farmers

Oblique Observations

BY ATTY. GILBERTO LAUENGCO, J.D.

“My grandfather used to say that at least once in your life, you will need a doctor, a lawyer, a policeman, and a preacher. But every day, three times a day, you will need a farmer.”

- Brenda Schoepp

Farmers are truly an integral part of our lives. Unfortunately, our farmers still lack many things. More production inputs, access to machineries and technology, access to capital and access to market are some of the things that our farmers still need.

The government has increased both its budget and programs tenfold to try and provide answers to these challenges. These problems, however, cannot be solved by government alone.

Now, more than ever, private initiatives in the sector are badly needed.

proved a USD39.2 million program to help “the Philippine farmer shift to a climate-resilient agricultural system … and respond to the impacts of the climate crisis.”

Other than enabling farmers to adopt climate resilient and related technologies.

A week ago, the Aboitiz group of Companies launched ever physical and digital solutions platforms for farmers in the country.” - a housing subdivision was started by the government through the National Housing was fast, starting from the site development up to the construction of beautiful 2-level duplex houses. The residential buildings police and military personnel. There were will be awarded to rebel-returnees who

The site of the subdivision is ideal not only in terms of distance but also in the rural ambience that the area provides. In fact, there were possibilities that the design of the duplex houses and the construction itself were a source of envy for previous housing applicants even in privately developed subdivisions offering duplex structures.

We are a frequent passer-by on the site because we have our rural residence in a barangay some three to four kilometers away from the site. And we were able to observe the weekly progress in the construction work. In fact, a good number of the houses were already painted and seemingly ready for occupancy by whoever were the

But then, from out of the blue, our sight was suddenly blocked by a large billboard that kept the view of the rising houses. The billboard has some inscriptions in it saying that the work on the said subdivision project was temporarily suspended pending compliance by the developer/ contractor with certain documentary requirements.

We have no idea how valid is the claim by the NHA, and ( /ROUGH/7) able cold storage unit in Benguet to help farmers in the area keep their produce fresh. Clearly, more private organizations, both here and abroad, are beginning to answer the call of our government for more private sector organizations, MSME’s, and big business partnerships with local farmers. organizing several farmers and MSME groups and conducting assistance and capacity building sessions.

Perhaps, more people are beginning to realize the importance of sustaining our farmers. In a small corner in Cabanatuan City, a non- government organization called Basta farmers to orient them of the group’s capacity building programs for farmers and small to medium scale entrepreneurs.

BTS is a non- government organization set up by a group of entrepreneurs and professionals that aims to help certain sectors empower themselves.

The only thing the organization asks from whoever help pay it forward.

One such program involves accepting income generating activity proposals from individuals or organizations and up loan assistance.

The organization also provides business related quick literacy.

These programs have help create more “agri-preby creating job opportunities and contribute to the local economy.

BTS has also started it logistic chain initiatives by helping farmers and other small businessmen sell their wares directly to consumers and cutting out oppressive middlemen.

The organization has set up BTS stores where products from its members can be sold cheaper to the public and where

To generate more resources for the programs, the organization has organized its members into cooperatives, councils, small business groups and taught them how to avail of assistance from other sources both public and private.

It has served as a liaison organization to government and private organization and helped its members prepare requirements and paperwork. In a few years’ time, the organization’s membership has grown by leaps and bounds.

BTS now has members and sub-organization all over the country.

Many of its members, whose lot in life has improved, has others achieve the same thing.

Perhaps, more private citizens or organizations can follow the steps of BTS by pitching in and starting innovative initiatives to help our farmers.

This is my oblique observation.

(Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in the foregoing and beliefs of the Philippine News Agency (PNA) or any