Philippine agriculture will get an additional funding of P6
billion this year alone following the recent signing into law of the
Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) extending its life until
the year 2015.
"ACEF’s extension is crucial to the attainment of the
Department of Agriculture’s (DA) goal to help small farmers move beyond primary
agriculture and into value-added higher-earning enterprises, because it will
mean additional resources for the farm sector between now and 2015," DA
Secretary Arthur Yap said.
The law, authored separately by Palawan Rep. Abraham Kahlil
Mitra and Sen. Edgar-do Angara was passed before both chamber adjourned for
their Christmas season break last year, was signed into law last week by
President Arroyo.
Yap noted that the extension of ACEF, originally due to expire in December
2007 with the fund reverting back to the national treasury, would go a long way
in helping Malacañang attain its objectives of "Negosyo sa Sakahan-Laban sa
Kahirapan" and "Pagkain sa Bawat Mesa-Laban sa Kahi-rapan." – Job Realubit
