Press Release
May 1, 2009

ANGARA HONORS RP'S AGRI AND FISHERY
DEVELOPMENT WORKERS THROUGH SB 3039

Cites agri and fishery workers as backbone of the economy

Senator Edgardo J. Angara today filed a bill which seeks to give importance to our country's agriculture and fisheries workers by affirming their rights and recognizing their importance in the Philippine economy.

"The backbone of the Philippine economy remains to be the agriculture and fisheries industry. More than ever before, the country faces the challenge of achieving food security under the looming threat of a global food crisis caused by, among others, spiraling fuel and energy costs and the degradation of the world's natural resources," said Angara who chairs the Senate Committee on Finance.

He added, "Thus, the landmark Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997 (AFMA) provides the policies and plans to the continuing modernization and development of the agriculture and fishery sector amid the ever-changing demands of globalization and food security."

Angara opined that the success of AFMA depends on the men and women who comprise the agriculture and fishery development workers.

The senator, who is a former Department of Agriculture secretary, filed a bill which seeks to accelerate the development and modernization of Philippine agriculture and more importantly, improve the economic and social well-being of agriculture and fishery development workers as well as their working condition and employment status.

SB 3039 affirms the rights of workers identified as follows: (a) security of tenure; (b) prohibition of discrimination; (c) safeguards in administrative privileges; (d) normal working hours and overtime work; (e) training and scholarship; (f) right to join organization; (g) freedom from interference or coercion; and (h) human resource development.

The bill also provides for incentives and rewards system for RP's agriculture and fishery development workers.

"Food security remains to be a primary underpinning of the society. Thus, in this momentous occasion of Labor Day, it is time that we honor agriculture and fishery development workers that remain to be the primary workhorse of the Philippine economy," added Angara.

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