BERNOS CALLS ON GOCCS TO DONATE HAULING TRUCKS TO AGRI

“Can the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. donate trucks for farm logistics instead of ambulances?”

This was the question raised by Abra lone district Rep. JB Bernos amid the difficulty in procuring hauling trucks to ease logistics concerns of farmers.

In a recent Senate hearing, Agriculture Sec. Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said that it is providing logistics support to farmers through the mobilization of Department of Agriculture-owned hauling trucks. He however conceded that the agency’s capacity remains limited.

Bernos raised the possibility of Pagcor and PCSO, along with other government-owned and -controlled corporations, donating trucks and other forms of logistical and post-harvest support to help ensure the country’s food security.

“Of course, we laud the Pagcor and PCSO for their efforts to bridge gaps in healthcare delivery through their donation of patient transport vehicles. But as a further challenge, I would like to call on our GOCCs to also help bridge the gap in agriculture,” he said.

The lawmaker earlier called on the government to make agriculture a top priority to avoid the country plunging into a food crisis in the near future as a result of the oil crisis.

He said that donating hauling trucks to local government units could help solve one of the lingering issues in the country’s agriculture sector.

“It is no big secret that the lack of logistics support for our farmers has led to massive crop spoilage across the country. Makakatulong ang truck donation para maiwasan ito.”