Loren calls farmers 'silent heroes'

Sta. Cruz, Laguna - Senator Loren Legarda called the farmers "our true silent heroes" during the conferment of the Namumukod Tanging Magsasaka awards to outstanding farmers of Laguna in ceremonies here yesterday.

Speaking at the Annual Outstanding Farmer of the Year award rites at the Cultural Center of Laguna in this town, Loren saluted the country's farmers in general and the Outstanding Farmers of Laguna in particular who she said "are the ones that feed the nation."

"For what is the essence of having rich, arable land and having irrigation and capital if there are no hard-working farmers who will tender our fields?" she said in her inspirational talk.

"The nation and our people owe them a lot. We should bestow on our outstanding farmers the highest possible awards and the highest possible recognition," dec;ared Loren, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture.

At the same time, Loren urged the Department of Agriculture, represented yesterday by n Secretary, Arthur C. Yap, to improve on the current mode of awarding outstanding farmers. Laguna governor Ningning Lazaro was also present in the occasion.

The Namumukod Tanging Magsasaka is an annual undertaking of DA in line with the President Arroyo's proclamation declaring the search for Outstanding Farmer of the Year (OFY) to recognize their major role in economic development.

"Farmers and fishermen deserve due recognition for their invaluable contribution to nation building," she said, adding that the government has accorded the highest priority to the development of agriculture and fishery not only to achieve an equitable distribution of benefits and opportunities but also to enable the farmers (crops, livestock and poultry) and fishermen to maximize their contribution to the nation's wealth.

"We are gathered here today to bestow such recognition to our industrious, hard-working, and patient farmers, and truly this is a special day for Laguna, a truly a great day for the farmers of Laguna," she said. "The agriculture sector of a specific area has traditionally been the sum of its components, particles and parts."

Loren noted Laguna's robust agriculture sector is made possible because of the good quality of soil, some parts of which are conducive to traditional crops such as palay , while other towns are noted for their tropical fruits such as lanzones.

"While other provinces can rest on their laurels solely on these achievements, there are many more good things that can be appreciated about this truly amazing province," Loren said.

She called Laguna "the embodiment - the fulfilment - of the highest dream of our economic managers."

"This is the wondrous blending of a thriving economic enclave: manufacturing, vehicle assembly, food processing, vigorous real estate development sector, educational center and many others, with an equally dynamic agriculture sector," she said.

"I do not think there are a dozen Philippine provinces with the economic profile of Laguna that can boast of thriving industrial and business bases at its urban centers and progressive agricultural enclaves in its rural areas."

Laguna, home province of the national hero, Jose Rizal, is also the seat of the country's premier university in agriculture (UPLB) and center for rice research (IRRI), is one of the five provinces comprising the growth area called CALABARZON, the others being Batangas, Cavite, Quezon and Rizal.

Its proximity to Metro Manila somewhat gives the biggest lures to farmers to maximize their agricultural production.

Loren recalled that in 1978 there were similar moves to recognize the contribution of farmers, and that there was one farmer then named Jose Cervantes who was honored by being given a seat in the Interim Batasang Pambansa.

"This was the first time in our history that a farmer, who topped the national rice production figures over several consecutive years, was honored with a seat in the parliament," Loren noted