AGRI party-list seeks better farmer, fisherfolk representation in CCC

Category : AGRI-NEWS | Sub Category : Farming Posted on 2025-04-11 06:35:18

PNA

MANILA – AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee has filed a measure pushing for the enhanced representation of farmers and fisherfolk in decision-making bodies related to climate policy.

Bill 11499, which the party-list group filed at the House of Representatives on Thursday, seeks to amend Republic Act 9729, or the Climate Change Act of 2009, to include provisions for active participation from the agricultural sector.

In filing the measure, AGRI Party-list said that while RA 9729 established the Climate Change Commission (CCC) and other measures to address climate impacts, the law falls short of guaranteeing the direct representation of farmers and fisherfolk in climate adaptation and disaster preparedness planning.

As currently written, Section 5 of RA 9729 only stipulates that at least one of the sectoral representatives of either the academe, business sector, or non-governmental organizations shall come from the disaster risk reduction community.

“The destruction brought by past calamities highlights the vulnerability of our agricultural communities to climate change. We must ensure that those who are most affected by disasters, particularly our farmers and fisherfolk, have a stronger voice in crafting policies that directly impact their livelihoods and well-being," Lee said in a news release on Friday.

He noted that it is not enough that the agriculture secretary is on the advisory board, as what is needed are representatives who know firsthand the experiences and the needs of those on the ground.

Under the proposed measure, a representative from farmers organization or cooperatives and fisherfolks organization or cooperative shall be part of the advisory board of the CCC.

“Giving farmers and fishers a literal seat at the table will shift how our climate policies are shaped, making them more comprehensive and grounded in real-world challenges. This change is a crucial step in fostering resilience within the agricultural sector," Lee said.

The AGRI Party-list also urged the immediate enactment of a measure expanding crop insurance coverage to protect the livelihood of farmers who lose their hard-earned crops every time a calamity hits.

House Bill 7387, which seeks to expand the services of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) and encourage private sector participation in agricultural insurance, was approved by the House on third and final reading in March 2023 and is now pending at the Senate.