Improving agriculture sector tops list of Ocampo, Maza

CEBU, Philippines - Satur Ocampo of Bayan Muna and Lisa Maza of Gabriela said yesterday improving the agriculture system will be their top priority should they get elected into the Senate.

Ocampo and Maza are running under the Nacionalista Party of Manuel Villar. 

Ocampo said her personally will push for a program that would provide collateral-free loans to farms.

“Kasi ngayon, nakakautang nga sila sa gobyerno pero may collateral naman. Kaya gagawa ako ng proposal to provide them collateral free loans and eventually hindi na magkakaroon ng crop failure,” Ocampo said.

He also said he and Maza will work on allocating P50 billion to develop the country’s rice industry by constructing an irrigation system and post-harvest facilities that would increase rice production so that the country would, eventually, no longer need to import rice.

Ocampo said by improving the agricultural system would help set up small scale enterprises.

Maza, for her part, said development will start once the Arroyo administration would come to an end.

“Nine years na kaming nanunungkulan as kongresista ng bayan… ipinaglalaban ang interes na mga mahihirap,” Maza said.

Like the other candidates for the May polls, Ocampo and Masa assured their promises would materialize once they get seats at the Senate.

Ocampo and Masa yesterday visited barangay Pasil and shared a meal with the barangay officials. Pasil Barangay Captain Romeo Ocarol said he is endorsing Ocampo and Maza and is willing to go around the city to campaign for the two senatoriables. — Niña G. Sumacot/JMO (THE FREEMAN)