Nacionalista PartyIN RESPONSE TO THE PEOPLE’S CONCERNSDecember 15, 2009

The Philippines is basically an underdeveloped agricultural country.Majority of its people still live in the rural areas and supportthemselves through agriculture and fisheries. The nation’s mainproblem is widespread poverty and social injustice.The main thrust of our platform is emancipating the people frompoverty and injustice. Self reliant and sustainable economicdevelopment program shall be pursued by implementing agrarianreform, increasing agricultural productivity and developing domesticindustries. The problems of environmental destruction, climate changeand recurring calamities shall be comprehensively addressed. Highpriority shall be given to education, health, housing and other basicsocial services.Economic development should be coupled with reforms ensuringsocial equity and respect for human rights. People empowerment andgood governance are vital to implementing meaningful reforms in theeconomy, politics, culture and foreign relations.A foreign policy based on respect for national sovereignty and ensuringmutual benefit shall be charted. The policy of economic liberalizationand blind adherence to “globalization” must be reviewed. Unequaleconomic, military and other foreign treaties and agreements must becorrected.Ang Bayan higit sa lahat!

On agriculture and rural development

The development of our agricultural lands and providing livelihoodopportunities shall raise the standard of living in the rural areas andincrease manpower productivity.

Food production should be geared towards food self sufficiency.Emphasis should be given to staple crops such rice and corn.We shall review the policy on trade liberalization in agriculture andprovide support and safety nets in order to protect local producers andat the same time giving them access to global market. We will providesupport to farmers in the form of appropriate agricultural inputs andpost harvest facilities. We should open market opportunities for localproducts by providing for new roads and bridges to access andfacilitate mobility.We need to develop rural industries by providing forward andbackward linkages, access to technology, and micro finance. We shallfacilitate the development of agri-business and entrepreneurship.We shall promote ecologically sound and scientific farming techniquesto conserve land for future generations, develop local seed varieties andlessen dependence on chemical-based fertilizers and insecticides.We need to promote fisherfolk’s participation in the management,protection and conservation of marine and coastal resources.

We shall promote the rights and welfare of indigenous people andmigrant dwellers in upland ecosystems.We shall develop a National Land Use Policy that promotes optimumutilization of natural resources for agricultural production, housing,institutional facilities, industrial zones and parks and other needs tomaintain ecological as well as economic viability.

On agrarian reform

Effective land distribution and thoroughgoing land reform is thegovernment’s mechanism to address landlessness. A land to the tillerprogram is a vital element of a comprehensive strategy for economicand social development.Basically the aim is to provide land to the landless tillers in recognitionof the long years of diligent labor that farmers and farm workers haveput in order to harness and in making the lands productive.For existing CARP beneficiaries there should be access to rural financeand technical support to improve land productivity and generateincome. Farmer beneficiaries who have arrears in amortization shall begiven the opportunity for relief or condonation of their debts.Government must compensate small and medium landowners whowere not indemnified but were covered by the current land reformprogram and to pursue land distribution with compensation to theremaining land owners covered by the land reform law. Businessopportunities shall likewise be offered to landowners parting withtheir lands.Offer joint ventures with big landowners to promote development of competitive and new industries that will provide employmentopportunities, stable revenue source and a vehicle for the growth of our export industry.

On the development of manufacturing and local industries