DUTERTE OKAYS RICE SEED PROCUREMENT EXEMPTION
He directed the DA to permit farmers to indicate which seeds they prefer for their area in a manifesto, so it would have basis to avoid the usual procurement process, in which the company with the lowest bid among those vying to supply these seeds wins the contract.
This was in response to Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol’s letter to the President, dated March 7 and made available to the media on March 13, in which he said the exemption would ensure that farmers would get only “good- quality and appropriate” seeds. Palay (unhusked rice) is a site- in one region, but not in another.
He cited the experience of farmers in Central Luzon who, because they want a particular seed type for their farms, refused to accept seeds supplied by the winning bidder. This resulted in wasted government funds and farmers’ inability to increase their output.
“Following the guidance from the President, Director Roy Abaya of DA Region 3, which covers Central Luzon, asked the farmers in his area to come up with a manifesto declaring their chosen hybrid rice seeds,” Piñol said.
According to Abaya, the Region- al Development Council (RDC) has passed a resolution approving the proposal on the exemption.
advised to follow DA Region 3’s lead to justify the move, Piñol said.