By Rachel Magday
BAYOMBONG,Nueva Vizcaya,Philippines — In response to the challenges faced by farmers due to low palay prices, Nueva Vizcaya Governor Atty. Jose V. Gambito has vowed that the provincial government will take decisive action to alleviate their hardships.
Gov. Gambito personally called for a dialogue yesterday(August 7) with farmers and other stakeholders in the agriculture sector to discuss potential solutions.
During the dialogue, Gov. Gambito expressed his concern over the current situation, describing it as a “great injustice.”
He stated, “What is happening to our farmers is a significant injustice, and my conscience cannot bear to stand by without taking action to help them.”
“If the national government’s actions are insufficient to address the issues faced by our farmers, the provincial government will do everything possible to ease their suffering,” he added.
Gov. Gambito highlighted the disparity between the low prices at which palay is purchased from farmers and the high prices at which rice is sold by traders, suggesting that there may be underlying issues in the processing chain.
Discussions are already underway regarding funding for a Palay Processing Center, which will serve as a one-stop hub for farmers to process their harvest and sell directly to the provincial government at fair prices. “If the provincial government sets a good buying price, private traders will have no choice but to match it, otherwise they won’t have any palay to buy and sell. This will ensure our farmers are no longer forced to accept low prices for their hard work,” Gambito stressed.
“There must be something wrong when palay is bought at a low price, but when it becomes rice, it is sold at a much higher price. Someone is profiting significantly at the expense of the farmers. There is an anomaly happening in between, and we want to uncover it so we can take the necessary steps to help our farmers,” the governor continued.
Gov. Gambito emphasized the need for concrete actions rather than mere expressions of sympathy for the farmers’ plight. He expressed his determination to implement measures that will genuinely alleviate the farmers’ difficulties, as he finds it distressing to witness their dire conditions.
Furthermore, Gov. Gambito warned that if any anomalies involving government officials are discovered, he will personally file charges against those responsible. The provincial government is committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in addressing the issues affecting the agriculture sector.
The governor’s plan aims to create a level playing field for Nueva Vizcaya’s agricultural sector and bring lasting benefits to local communities. “With these reforms, we are giving our farmers hope and a fighting chance,” Governor Gambito concluded. “Agriculture is the backbone of our province, and as governor, I am determined to see our farmers thrive.”
