2 weeks ago
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Iba, Zambales — Senator Imee Marcos promised to push the Mango Export Act that aims to promote the Philippine mango industry for international export and strengthen the livelihood of mango farmers.
In a dialogue with the mango farmers in Zambales on Tuesday, Marcos said that she aims to listen and come up with solutions under her IMEEsolusyon program to ensure the industry's growth, not only in the province.
During the dialogue, the farmers lament the decreasing number of mangoes that are harvested every year, citing climate change and lack of modern technology.
The senator pointed out the need to broaden the farm area, build facilities for storing and processing mangoes, and support the farmers so they can compete with the global market.
Marcos, meanwhile, cited her support to Senate Bill No. 1902 or the Doubling Farmers' Income Act that aims to increase the income of farmers through boosting the production of high-value crops that are in demand and have higher prices in the market.
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Included in the provisions of the proposed bill is the increase of value-adding and processing to further increase the price of mangoes.
She also said that with the help of new technology and climate-resilient farming method, the mango industry in Zambales will thrive.
For the rice farmers, Marcos said that she is pushing Senate Bill No. 1720 or the Fertilizer and Pesticide Tax Immunity Act that aims to remove the taxes on fertilizers and pesticides, which will lower the cost for farmers. She said that there is also a need to increase the capacity of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) that provides subsidy to seedlings, irrigation and machineries that increases the harvest and income of the farmers.
