Press Release
April 18, 2007

PROTECT FARMERS TO ADDRESS HUNGER

Senate President Manny Villar said the World Bank report baring that at least 15 million Filipinos subsist on $1 or less per day should provide a framework for government to effectively carry out its economic programs.

We should face this issue squarely and accept the report with an open mind, the reelectionist senator who is running as an independent and GO guest candidate stressed. This should serve as a guide in pursuing the hunger and poverty alleviation program of the government.

Villar likewise cited that the information provided by the World Bank is consistent with the results of the Social Weather Station survey pointing out that 19 percent of the Filipino population experienced hunger in the past three months. A survey by the poll group SWS placed at a record high of 19 percent of Filipinos, or nearly one in five, experienced hunger at least once in the past three months. SWS said it interviewed 1,200 people from February 24 to 27, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. To address the problem, Villar said, We need focus on the improvement of the economy which the government is trying to do and which the Senate is supporting. At the same time, there should be a program as to how the improvement of our economy will trickle down to the poorest sector.

The Senate President, who is making the rounds of the poorest provinces in the country in his campaign, is batting for the advancement of the agriculture sector to address hunger felt by Filipinos.

He said that by protecting the lot of farmers, adequately funding agriculture programs and minimizing corruption in the system will enable the sector to keep pace with agricultural advancement, eventually resulting in better production yield and food supply in the country.

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