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Sen. Cynthia Villar welcomed the agriculture program that will encourage more people to grow their own food and asked the Department of Agriculture to make sure that the ‘Plant, Plant, Plant’ program includes a training component in order to be effective. Villar, chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture and Food, has been pushing for home gardening and urban agriculture as a food security strategy that will make sure people have sources of food in times of calamity or health emergency like the COVID-19 pandemic. “For this program to be effective, we cannot just distribute seeds and let the people plant on their own. We should also have a program that will teach them the know-how of planting. The strategy is to let people see that growing food is a joyful undertaking by helping them make their planting projects thrive,” Villar said. Villar said DA should tap the more than 20,000 farm schools all over the country to train the people how to plant. She said training programs like the Ag...

Saying more Filipinos should have access to healthy and safe farm products, Sen. Cynthia Villar has pushed for a system of organic products certification which small farmers can also afford.   In defending the Committee Report amending Republic Act 10068 or the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010, the Committee on Agriculture and Food said "farmers find the cost of third party certification with the tag price ranging from 42,000 to 150,000 per crop, valid for only one year to be exorbitant."   "This amount is way beyond the purse of small farmers who have the perennial problem to access even a small capital for production. Only rich farmers or corporations can afford third party certification. The provision has become a deterrent and a disincentive for small farmers comprising a large percentage of the farming population," Villar said.   Villar authored Senate Bill 1911 which proposes the establishment of the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) as an alternative to thi...

Senator Cynthia Villar has said that she will look into alleged overpriced fertilizer contract of the Department of Agriculture. “I will look into the issue but I have to file a Senate Resolution first in order to schedule an inquiry or investigation. Congress is in recess right now and will resume on the third week of July. So I would have to wait till then," said Villar in a statement issued on June 15. Villar added: “For the meantime, the agri groups and farmers can bring their concern or complaints to the State Prosecutor at the Department of Justice (DoJ); “Once the Senate opens, we will of course, look at all the sides to this issue. We have to ensure that the funds made available by the government to help our countrymen cope with the ongoing pandemic are being used for their intended purpose and beneficiaries, particularly the farmers," the senator said.

As many people stay inside their homes in compliance with government measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 cases, people has turned to home gardening as a way to stay productive while passing time. Sen. Cynthia Villar, advocate of urban gardening, couldn’t be more pleased with this development and referred to the blossoming of home agriculture as one of the positive outcomes brought about by the quarantine measures. Villar, chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture and Food and director of the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (Villar SIPAG), built farm schools in Las Pinas and San Jose del Monte City in Bulacan, to promote agriculture in urban areas. The first Villar SIPAG farm school inaugurated in 2015 is located in a 4-hectare lot in the boundary of Las Piñas City and Bacoor. The San Jose Del Monte Farm School, which opened in October 2016, sits in a 4-hectare land in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. Both schools have training areas,  dormitories, f...

          As a proponent of vegetable gardening or backyard farming, Senator Cynthia Villar is pleased that Filipinos now have a better appreciation and increased interest in growing their own food during the ongoing community quarantine.           “I am glad that more people are now seeing the benefits of planting vegetables in their own backyard. And I hope the growing interest will continue even after the quarantine is lifted,” said Villar.           Senator Villar, the current chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, has long been advocating all forms of farming to ensure food self-sufficiency and security. She encourages people from all walks of life—the youth, OFWs, barangay residents and even drug surrenderees, to plant vegetables.           She has in fact several programs and projects that support her advocacy. She initiated the putting up of vegetable gardens in her h...

Senator Cynthia Villar has expressed concern that the ongoing enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in various parts of the country, which has been extended until May 15, is already taking its toll in the employment situation of the poor in the country. And more realistic and sustainable measures should be put in place. Villar recommends the opening of the labor intensive sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and construction for the poor and lower middle class. The agriculture sector is in full swing but some allied industries have limited operations or have ceased operations already. This has displaced food manufacturing workers and limited the supply of food in the market. “With the extension of the ECQ for another half a month, we need to intensify food production as well as ensured the unimpeded flow of fresh produce and food products all over the country,” said Villar. As widely reported in media, those employed in the construction and manufacturing sectors are adver...

Aside from vegetable seeds, Sen. Cynthia Villar also distributed compost to help home gardeners grow healthy plants. Buoyed by the popularity of planting projects while on quarantine, Villar, chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture and Food, initiated the distribution of compost, an organic material that can be added to soil to help plants grow. “While we have already convinced people to start planting, we might as well teach them how to plant the organic way,” Villar said. Villar noted that the use of compost reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides as it enriches and conditions the soil. In Las Pinas and the Villar SIPAG farm schools, Villar’s composting projects continue to operate. It involved the collection of kitchen and garden waste. In Las Pinas, about 70 tons of compost are produced and given out to farmers in nearby localities. In addition to providing help to frontliners by donating food and protective equipments, Villar has included in her ...

Sen. Cynthia Villar has included in her relief efforts to help communities under the enhanced community quarantine the distribution of vegetable seeds to encourage home gardening and growing of own food. Villar, chair of the Committee on Agriculture and Food, started the distribution of packed seeds of tomato, eggplant, pumpkin, ampalaya, sweet pepper, hot pepper, corn, sitaw, and mungbean to 61 different barangays in Las Pinas, Cavite and Bulacan. “I’ve always advocated for home gardening as a strategy for food security and for the alleviation of nutrient deficiency. It will be a big help for families to have direct access to nutritious foods that they don’t have to buy,” Villar said. The lady senator also said home gardening can be practiced by anybody in small patches of land, vacant lots or in containers, making it appealing to families living in urban areas. She added that the importance of home gardens are also stressed in times of emergencies like typhoon, volcanic ...

Workers of community-based livelihood projects continue to have a source of income while complying with the restrictions of the enhanced community quarantine, Sen. Cynthia Villar said. Villar, chair of the Committee on Agriculture and Food and Environment and Natural Resources, said community-based livelihood projects help workers have a steady source of income amid the implementation of quarantine measures. In Las Pinas, livelihood projects continue its operation including handicraft and blanket weaving, coconet weaving, plastic chairs production, organic fertilizer production, engineered bamboo production, citronella massage oil making, handmade waterlily paper making, urban vegetable gardening, urban aquaculture, and organic livestock raising. These projects are some of the livelihood projects Villar helped establish in over 7,000 locations nationwide. “Our workers need not worry about losing their income during the COVID 19 crisis because these community-based livelihoo...

The enhanced community quarantine is a good time to start taking up productive hobbies like home gardening, Sen. Cynthia Villar said. Villar, chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture and Food and on Environment and Natural Resources, said work suspension and mandatory home stay created an opportunity to start worthwhile activities at home. “Sa atin na nasanay na laging may ginagawa, nahihirapan tayo paano papalipasin ang oras. Planting is something you can start alone or with your family. It’s a way of introducing agriculture to our children,” Villar said. Villar said there are tutorials accessible through the internet that can provide basic instructions on how to start your home garden. “Hindi kailangan ng malaking lupain. You can plant in small spaces or containers and start with crop varieties that are easy to grow like pechay, sili, tomato, eggplant, okra, calamansi, among others,” Villar said. Villar added that urban agriculture and vertical gardening should b...

Sen. Cynthia Villar discussed with Department of Agriculture officials, including Asec. William Medrano and National Dairy Authority Adm. Marilyn Mabale the programs that should be implemented for the development of the livestock and dairy industry. During the hearing of the Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform, Villar said the implementation of a carabao dispersal program in Ubay, Bohol should be replicated in many areas in the country as it succeeded to provide an additional source of income to farmers. Villar authored Senate Bill 139 or an act to restructure and rationalize the livestock industry in order to strengthen its development, protection and regulatory functions, including the promotion of dairy and native animals and to provide for a livestock development fund.

Sen. Cynthia Villar pushed for a bill that will mandate local government units (LGUs) to set aside funding for the development of agriculture. Villar, chair of the Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, authored Senate Bill 1138 or the “Local Government Agriculture Development Act.” The bill seeks to institutionalize a 10 percent budgetary allocation from the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) of LGUs for the implementation of programs, activities, and services for agriculture and fisheries. “We need to strengthen local government participation in agriculture development by making sure programs for agriculture will be funded and consistently implemented whoever gets elected-- advocate man ng agriculture ang mayor o hindi,” Villar said. “Just like how LGUs were required to allot budget for Gender and Development Program, we want local agriculture development programs to be funded also,” she added. The bill seeks to mandate cities, municipalities and barangays to ...

Sen. Cynthia A. Villar led the  opening of the 13th Agricrops Production Training program at Villar SIPAG Farm School in Bacoor, Cavite recently. The senator, chair of the Senate agriculture and food committee, said gardens may become the principal source of food in case of typhoons,  volcanic eruption and other calamities. Villar was joined in the event by Crisanto Boysie Sabino, East West Seed Foundation Inc.  Executive Director; Ma. Elema Van Tooren, East West Seed Foundation Inc. managing director; and Maj. Teason Rosario,  Las Pinas City Station Community Affair and Development Section.

Sen. Cynthia Villar said the amendment she proposed in the 2020 budget of the National Food Authority (NFA) will mean a bigger budget for the program providing assistance to small farmers. Villar, chair of the committee on agriculture and food and sponsor of the proposed budget of the Department of Agriculture, said a bigger budget is needed to help farmers affected by the initial phase of the implementation of Republic Act 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law, that is why she proposed the transfer of P3 billion from NFA to the Land Bank of the Philippines. “It is a given that there are difficulties encountered by farmers when the law took effect that is why we are looking for ways how to extend more assistance to them through bigger budget,” Villar said. The Nacionalista Party senator also allayed fears that the transferred funds will affect the palay procurement program of the agency. VILLAR AT LUFTHANSA TECHNIK PHILIPPINES - Sen. Cynthia A. Villar were among those who l...

Sen. Cynthia Villar welcomed reports indicating that President Rodrigo Duterte is considering a nationwide ban on the use of plastic. Villar, chair of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, said the ban is urgent in the face of a study showing the Philippines as one of the world’s largest producers of plastic wastes that end up in the ocean. “With the President taking the lead in this campaign, I am confident we will be making a significant headway and finally remove us from that disconcerting title as one of the world’s largest producers of plastic wastes,” Villar said. Villar made this statement during the tree-planting and clean-up activity she spearheaded in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources at Bgy. 649, Gasangan, Baseco Compound. Also present in the activity were representatives from the Department of Health, Department of Social Work and Development, Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Environment and ...

Banking on their goals of making farmers and stakeholders in the agricultural sector more competitive and profitable, Sen. Cynthia A. Villar welcomed all members of the Batch 3 of the trainees at the Villar SIPAG Farm School.  Villar, chair of the Senate agriculture and food committee, says she is happy with the additional number of people who will undergo their program in partnership with the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Region IV-A on Farming Business School.  This was designed to help farmers learn and improve their knowledge and skills in entrepreneurship and farm business management.

RECOGNIZING the importance of nutritionist-dieticians in the health sector, Sen. Cynthia Villar urges them to encourage the public to plant vegetables food to have access to nutritious food without spending too much. In her speech during the oath-taking ceremony of the newly-registered nutritionist-dieticians, Villar cites their significant role in guiding our countrymen on the right eating habits, food choices and healthy lifestyle. The senator, chair of the Senate Agriculture and Food committee, also calls on the young generation to get involved in farming, saying they should start young through food gardening in schools or by giving them training and education related to agriculture. Villar was the guest speaker in the said event with the theme “Nourishing the Filipinos through professional ND practice” held at Manila Hotel.

Sen. Cynthia Villar scrutinizing the proposed budget of the Department of Agriculture (DA), made sure funding will go to projects, research and application that will help Filipino farmers and fisherfolks. During the secondhearing of the finance subcommittee on the P71.8 billion proposed budget of DAfor year 2020, Villar reminded DA officials headed by Sec. William Dar to spendno more than 50 percent of their budget for overhead or operating expenses. “Ang gusto natinmas malaki ang mapupuntang budget sa projects dahil iyon ang nakakatulong samga tao. Hindi tama na mas malaki ang napupunta sa pasweldo, sa maintenance andoperating expenses habang kulang ang tulong sa farmers,” Villar said. Villar, chair ofthe Committee on Agriculture and Food, also scrutinized the proposed budgets ofDA’s flagship programs for rice, corn, livestock, organic agriculture,high-value crops, fisheries and halal to make sure they are allocating moremoney for items that will really help farmers and fis...

At the 55th International Coconut Community Session and Ministerial Meeting at the Phiippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, Senator Cynthia Villar vowed to continue passing bills to help the coconut farmers.  As chairperson of the Senate agriculture and food committee, Villar said she has been leading efforts in the legislature to come up with relevant and responsive legislations.  Right now, they are just fine-tuning the Coconut Industry Development Act that will create the P100- billion coconut levy trust fund for the benefit of the country’s 3.5 million coconut farmers.

Given the many benefits it brought to hog-raisers, Sustainable Pig Farming (SPF) should be promoted among backyard and commercial raisers. “Since we started teaching farmers the SPF, many already benefited from low feed cost, good quality meat and a more environment-friendly know-how of raising pigs,” Sen. Cynthia Villar said. The chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture and Food also noted that backyard hog-raising or pig farming is one of the alternative sources of additional income of many farmers because it requires only a small capital. In partnership with the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (Villar SIPAG), has been conducting a training course on SPF in its farm schools in Cavite and Bulacan that benefited raisers coming from the National Capital Region, Southern Luzon, Northern and Central Luzon and the Cordillera Autonomous Region. The 20-day training course tea...