A lawmaker is urging government-owned corporations such as the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) to expand their assistance programs by donating hauling trucks for farmers instead of focusing mainly on ambulance donations.
The lack of transport and logistics support remains one of the major problems faced by farmers across the country, contributing to delays in deliveries and spoilage of agricultural products, according to Abra Rep. Joseph Blando “JB” Bernos.
He said agencies like PAGCOR and PCSO, as well as other government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), should help strengthen the agriculture sector by providing trucks and other post-harvest equipment to local government units and farming communities.
The proposal came after Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. disclosed during a recent Senate hearing that the DA has been deploying its own hauling trucks to assist farmers in transporting produce. However, Laurel admitted that the department’s current fleet and logistics capacity are still insufficient to meet nationwide demand.
Bernos acknowledged the efforts of PAGCOR and PCSO in supporting healthcare services through ambulance donations but said similar assistance should also be directed toward agriculture.
“Of course, we commend PAGCOR and PCSO for helping improve healthcare access through patient transport vehicles. But I hope our GOCCs can also help address the gaps in agriculture,” Bernos said.
The lawmaker has repeatedly pushed for stronger government support for agriculture, warning that the country could face a food security crisis if challenges affecting the sector are not immediately addressed, especially amid rising fuel prices and global oil concerns.
He stressed that providing hauling trucks to local governments could significantly improve the movement of agricultural goods and reduce losses suffered by farmers.
“It is no secret that many farmers lose a large portion of their harvest because of poor logistics support. Truck donations can go a long way in preventing crop spoilage,” he added.