(Aprub sa ADB)$500-M LOAN PARA SA PH AGRI SECTOR

INAPRUBAHAN ng Asian Development Bank (ADB) ang $500-million loan para suportahan ang Philippine agriculture sector na nahihirapan dahil sa mga hamon sa ekonomiya.

Ayon sa ADB, ang bagong policy-based loan ay naglalayong palawakin ang economic opportunities sa industriya at tiyakin ang seguridad sa pagkain sa bansa.

Partikular nitong palalakasin ang Subprogram 2 ng Competitive and Inclusive Agriculture Development Program, na naglalayong maisulong ang agriculture sector na may trade policy at regulatory framework reforms.

Susuportahan din nito ang rice buffer stock management ng bansa para matiyak ang seguridad sa pagkain maging sa panahon ng kagipitan.

“Extreme climate events and economic shocks are exacerbating the struggles of the agriculture sector to raise their productivity,” pahayag ni ADB Principal Natural Resources and Agriculture Economist for Southeast Asia Takeshi Ueda.

“This new loan aims to support the Philippines’ efforts to attain food security by building a competitive and inclusive agriculture sector that is characterized by improved efficiency, enhanced diversity, strengthened climate resilience, and higher farm incomes,” dagdag pa ni Ueda.

Ang bagong pondo ay susuporta rin sa financial initiatives, tulad ng unconditional cash transfers sa smallholder rice farmers at concessional loans sa agriculture- at fishery-based micro and small enterprises at smallholder farmers at fisherfolk.