Press Release
February 19, 2016

POE BARES PLAN FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

CABANATUAN CITY--Leading presidential contender Sen. Grace Poe unveiled her plans to develop the agriculture sector in the country, as she expressed confidence that with hard work and compassion, she can improve the lives of farmers, students and the poor under her "Gobyernong may Puso."

Speaking before senior citizens at a sectoral meeting in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, Poe said the country needs a leader who is not only competent but also understands what ordinary people are going through.

If she wins in May, Poe said she will prioritize agriculture and education, promising free irrigation service for farmers and free education for students from pre-school to college.

"Sa aking trabaho sa Senado, ang aking panata sa inyo ay ako'y magiging tapat, na gagawin ko ang aking trabaho nang tama, na tututukan ko ang sektor ng agrikultura, na lalabanan ko ang mga nagsa-smuggle ng kung anong mga produkto galing sa ibang bansa katulad ng sibuyas at bawang. 'Yan ay ginawa ko dahil pangako ko ito sa inyo," Poe said.

"Kung ako ay mabibigyan pa ng mas higit na pagkakataon, pinapangako ko sa inyo dito sa inyong lugar na libre ang irigasyon," she said.

Farmers whose land yields 40 cavans of palay pay an estimated P4,500 per hectare annually in irrigation service fee to the National Irrigation Authority. This will be abolished under "Gobyerning may Puso."

Agricultural development, Poe said, is crucial to include farmers in rapid, inclusive and sustainable growth. While majority of the population depends on agriculture, farmers remain one of the poorest sectors of society, with some earning nothing more than P20,000 annually.

The senator plans to build agro-industrial zones to help farmers market their products and also generate employment. She also wants to establish seed banks in every region that will serve as a supplies and materials hub for farmers, especially after a natural disaster.

"Magtatayo tayo ng agri-industrial sectors dito kung saan ang ating mga magsasaka pwedeng dalhin doon ang kanilang mga produkto, pwedeng i-process doon at ibenta sa mga negosyante para mabawasan na ang middle men," Poe said.

Nueva Ecija, the country's rice granary, is a catch basin of floodwater from upland areas. The recent Typhoon Nona alone damaged P260 million worth of rice grains, according to the Department of Agriculture. Around 12,558 hectares of land in the province is also affected by El Nino.

For students, Poe vows to make quality education free for all.

"Ang ating mga state universities and colleges ay gagawin nating libre sapagkat mahal magpaaral ng mga estudyante. Importante na mabilis at mura ang internet service," Poe said.

The lone independent presidential candidate, who leads voters' preference surveys, said nothing is impossible if you have the people's welfare at heart.

"Magsisipag kami para maialay lahat sa inyo sapagkat ako ay pinalaki ng aking ama sa simpleng prinsipyo na kailangan ikaw ay tapat na tao at ikaw ay tumultuong sa mga nangangailangan. Kami po ay hindi magnanakaw sa inyo, unang una. Pangalawa, sa aming mga polisiya uunahin namin ang inyong kapakanan, trabaho, kalusugan, kaligtasan," Poe said.

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