Agri group wants LGU funds for output boost

President Marcos is open to declaring a state of emergency or calamity to tap a portion of funds allotted for local government units (LGUs) to give a much-needed boost to the vital agriculture sector amid the food crisis, according to an agricultural group.

The Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. (Pcafi) broached the idea to Mr. Marcos, concurrently serving as the country’s Agriculture secretary. The government will review the legal and political sensitivities of the group’s recommendation.

Despite understanding the urgency of the problem at hand, Pcafi president Danilo Fausto said the country’s chief executive is “very cautious” and would look carefully into the proposal.

“We requested his legal team to review this because what we are proposing has certain sensitivities involving LGUs. That’s the only way and he realized the national government cannot utilize the IRA (internal revenue allotment),” said Fausto in a press briefing.

Under Republic Act No. 7581, otherwise known as the Price Act, the President is given the authority to freeze prices of basic necessities during a state of calamity.

Fausto stressed the only way forward is an intervention from the government to ensure that local governments contribute to the overall production of the vital sector.

The Pcafi suggested the issuance of a presidential directive that would channel at least 10 percent of the IRA of LGUs to agriculture production or value chain projects in the respective local governments.