Lawmakers OK food production program

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro: The comprehensive food production program for the island of Mindoro prepared by the former governor and former representative of the first district of the province gets the approval of the three incumbent district representatives of Mindoro Island.

In a recent meeting held at the North Wing of the House of Representatives in Quezon City, former governor and former congressman Rodolfo Valencia presented to First District Rep. Arnan Panaligan and Occidental Mindoro Lone District Rep. Leody Tarriela the primer “Mindoro Island: Food Basket of the Philippines, A Strong Ally Towards National Food Security,” prepared by his office and proceedings of the meeting posted on Thursday, on the social media page of Friends of Joanna Valencia, daughter of the older Valencia.

Second District Rep. Alfonso Umali Jr. was not present during the meeting, but he sent a message of support to the program, the post said.

The program aims to enhance the overall production of food in the countryside to help in the livelihood of the local farmers, create more jobs and make Mindoro the food basket of the country, the post said, adding that also discussed during the meeting are the power problem in the whole island and the perennial flooding.

The primer, a copy of which was furnished to The Manila Times, cited the geographical advantage, abundant natural resources, protected environment, strong agro-industry, advanced road network and infrastructure, ecotourism potential, and political stability of the island as reasons for its potential to be the food basket of the country.

In a message on Friday, Panaligan said that Valencia visited him at his office in Congress and briefed him on the program.

“If it is for the good of our people we are always supportive of this kind of program that improves the livelihood of the people of Mindoro,” Panaligan said.