2022 Alternative DA/Agriculture-Fisheries Budget Proposals

Prepared by

Bayanihan sa Agrikultura Laban sa Covid

Rice Watch Action Network, UBRA, Alyansa Agrikultura, Pambansang Kilusan ng
Kababaihan sa Kanayunan (PKKK), Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Samahan sa
Kanayunan (PKSK), Center for Agrarian Reform, Empowerment, and Transformation,
Katribu, SEARICE, PECUARIA, TAMUCO, KATARUNGAN, Synergy Project, TKFP,
GSAC. PaNaGat

Budget Context and Assumptions

 A consensus is emerging among scientists1 that COVID-19 will likely remain and cause a
significant burden of illness and death for years to come. As a result, people are expected to
continue observing social distancing and avoiding crowded places. Considering these, economic
recovery is predicted to take a longer time especially after the slow vaccination roll-out, not to
mention the hesitancy of the population to get vaccinated. Capital Economics projected that the
slow vaccine rollout reinforces the view that most economies will remain depressed for some time
to come, and that policy will need to remain supportive. Inevitably, COVID and the new normal
should continue to shape government’s budgeting and programming in 2022

 The economic slow-down in general also puts a toll on agriculture activities, including agri-exports
as demand for products dropped and unemployment rises not just in the urban but also rural
areas. Thus, we think many of the budget assumptions particularly the use of poverty data (2018)
for example by BFAR in their budget presentation no longer captures the reality on the ground. In
fact, the loss of unemployment abroad by many of our overseas workers, the closures of
establishments in urban centers, have all contributed to increased pressure in the coastal
resources exacerbating the already overfished situation of many of our fishing grounds.
 While the DA’s efforts to promote Plant, Plant, and Plant during COVID has increased food
supply especially vegetables, We however, don’t see sufficient work being done to link farmers to
markets as AMAS for instance do not have the real time capacity to project where and what
commodities are in over-supply and enough market information to be able to link farmers to
markets. Can we achieve
 While DA promotes food sufficiency through the Plant Plant Plant, it continues to open and flood
the markets with imported agriculture products, even reducing remaining tariffs, thereby forcing
poultry, livestock sectors to voluntarily further reduce their production capacities, adding to the
growing unemployment.
 We increased food imports and yet our wet markets and personnel are not equipped to handle
chilled and frozen food, hence making the public more vulnerable to health hazards; Wet markets
are designed to handle fresh and newly harvested products.
 African Swine Flu (ASF) is also projected to stay as vaccine treatment to help eliminate the
disease is still unavailable.
 Climate change and increased climate variability will continue to impact agriculture and fisheries.
The World Meteorological Office has released its findings that 2011-2020 will be the warmest
decade on record, with the warmest six years all being since 2015, according to the World
Meteorological Organization. Ocean heat is at record levels and more than 80% of the global
ocean experienced a marine heatwave at some time in 2020, with widespread repercussions for
marine ecosystems already suffering from more acidic waters due to carbon dioxide (CO 2)
absorption, according to the provisional WMO report on the State of the Global Climate in 2020 2.
And with record extreme temps, we expect stronger climate hazards and increased climate risks
especially for the most vulnerable in the sector.

1
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-variants-insight-idUSKBN2AV1T1
2
https://public.wmo.int/en/media/press-release/2020-track-be-one-of-three-warmest-years-record
  At the same time, the 2022 Budget call clearly outlines the directive to comply with the Mandanas
Ruling to transition to full devolution. DBM in their presentation expects the increase in LGUs IRA
budget to more than 27.6%. And that agencies will have to prepare for this transition as well in
capacitating LGUs in planning and project implementation for 2022 and that NGAs role is to
properly set national policy and service delivery standards, and assist, oversee and monitor
LGUs.

Source: DBM Slide

These are the realities that we believe have to be taken into account in the 2022 budget. Considering all
of these, we believe the budget should be:

 Designed to address the survival reality and promote better health of our people especially in the
rural areas.
 Strengthen local rural economy, stir local employment and livelihoods by strengthening local food
production capacities
 As much as possible, link farmers enterprises (i.e. seed production, organic fertilizer production,
feeds production, farmers’s animal raising enterprises, food production and processing, etc) to
government procurement and programs (i.e. feeding, government incentives, etc)
 Capacitate DA personnel, local governments and partner with academe and private sector
experts, CSOs and community stakeholders in research and in jointly managing critical natural
resources (i.e. soils, fisheries and water) to support sustainable food production
 Per Mandanas ruling, DA should also start its transition plans and building local capacities in
project planning, management and monitoring and evaluation
 Install or strengthen agriculture and fisheries based early warnings as appropriate---not just to
climate risks but also of animal and crop pests and diseases including market warnings to support
early /anticipatory actions to help reduce or mitigate disastrous consequences to our local
producers

It is in these light that we are submitting the following alternative budget proposals:

HIGHLIGHTS OF BUDGET PROPOSALS

Agency Proposed Activity Purpose/Rationale Proposed Budget

OSEC  Assist LGUs in developing their
comprehensive, strategic and
In participatory municipal agriculture and
Complianc fisheries development /modernization
e with the plan. The plan should include the
The purpose of budget support 300 Million
is to help LGUs in the transition
process by helping them
identify their comprehensive
agriculture and fisheries plans
 following components: to identify strategic investment
Transition areas for the agriculture and
to Full 1. Municipal road network plans fisheries sector
Devolution 2. Resource Management and
Conservation Plans (i.e. soils, (300 pilot LGUs)
fisheries, water, forestry)
3. Commodity roadmap and agro-
enterprise/industrialization
development plans
4. Agri-fish early warning systems (i.e
red tide monitoring, climate
services for agriculture and
fisheries, animal disease EWS and
early action protocols, crop pest
and disease EWS and early action
protocols etc)
5. Institutional Development and
Education Plan of rural
communities/ farmers/ fishers
including farmers/fishers registry
maintenance and updating
6. M and E plan
7. Policy Support
8. Capacity Building Agenda for
Human resources of Agriculture
sector

Respective  Development of Policy To develop initial written 2M

Agencies Guidance/Implementation Guidance in guidance for piloting of
the crafting of the following: comprehensive municipal agri-
In 1. Municipal road network plans fisheries planning
Complianc (BAFE)
e with the 2. Resource Management
Transition Conservation and Management
to Full Plans (i.e. soils, fisheries, forestry)
Devolution (BSWM, BFAR, NFRDI, BMB)
3. Commodity roadmap and agro-
enterprise/industrialization
development plans (AMAS, Banner
Programs,
4. Agri-fish early warning systems (i.e
red tide monitoring, climate
services for agriculture and
fisheries-rapid and slow onset
events (ENSO), animal disease
EWS and early action protocols,
crop pest and disease EWS and
early action protocols etc) (DA
CRAO- DA DRRM/ PAGASA)
5. Community/Farmers/Fishers
Institutional Development and
Education Plan including
farmers/fishers registry
maintenance and updating
(RSBSA/BFAR/PCA)
 6. M and E plan
7. Policy Support
8. Capacity Building agenda for LGUs

BFAR  Policy Guidance on Integrated To help manage ecosystems

Resource Management specially and ensure sustainability of
In relating to fisheries, soils and forestry resources and livelihoods of 60 Million
Complianc and water resources that support these food production areas for 12 FMAs
e with the sustainable food production
Transition o Actual Support to Co-
to Full Management Bodies (FMAs)
Devolution o Water and Soils?

In  Provincial Learning Groups on Agri To facilitate learning/mentoring 50 Million

Complianc Services Devolution (50 provinces) and among LGUs in the transition
e with the capacity building for PLGU to full devolution
Transition
to Full
Devolution
SAAD  Area Development Programming for the To support LGUs in their 500M
poorest Areas/municipalities (Top 50 comprehensive strategic agri-
Organic poorest municipalities) fisheries plan implementation
Banner
Program  Development of Organic Showcase Additional 500M
Hubs (50 municipalities)
NTA
(already included in the OA program but the
RSBSA proposal is to focus in areas with policy
directive for organic support, for example,
GAD members of the League of Organic
Agriculture Municipalities)
 Portion of the excise taxes collected 500M
Program
from tobacco can be used to provide
comprehensive support to tobacco
Rice producing municipalities (All tobacco
Philrice producing municipalities)
NFA
Corn
Banner  Registration of women as farmers and To ensure women are counted 15 Million
not just as farmworker and have equal chances of
 Training of enumerators being selected as beneficiaries
National
 guidance for machinery budgeting for of government support Policy guidance
Corn
women services.
Program
Livestock  guidance for inclusion of women in the
HVCC banner programs According to the RSBSA
Organic group, women only get to be
AMAS  To ensure policy guidance and women registered a farmer if she is the
Food inclusion in the RSBSA, Fish R and main decision-maker in land
Developm PCA farmers registration cultivation decisions, otherwise
ent Center she is registered a farm-worker
PHILMECH  Realign some more of the Hybrid seeds To widen choices of seeds and 100 million
BPI distribution budget to certified and to help support high value rice
BSWM good/traditional seeds produced by (heirloom rice, pigmented rice,
Fisheries/ trained farmers on seed production organic rice) production by
BFAR
 Provide Organic inputs (procured from
small farmers enterprises) to farmers
 Research and Program to Develop
informal seed system
 Mainstream organic rice production in
the DA rice program
 Provision of light and easy to operate
farm machieneries and equipment for
women rice farmers and other small
farmers groups (i.e. small rice mills,
motorized weeders, handheld
harvesters/rice cutter, irrigation pumps,
etc)
 Provision of 1000 mobile solar bubble
dryers and Prioritize municipalities and
farmers organizations in type 2 climate
(est cost for govt procurement 150K per
unit)
 Support Participatory Varietal selection
and on-farm seed conservation efforts
of CSOs and farmers
 Increased rice buffer to at least 30 days
 Set up access to NFA rice in vulnerable
and GIDA areas/ especially in small
vulnerable islands esp in the Visayas
and Mindanao
 Development of concept for a Quedan
system and its initial set up
 Support to corn farmers organizing and
farmer-managed feedmill enterprises
(i.e. feeds production)
 Capacity building to handle enterprises
and seed production
 Pilot areas
 Budget for regions 2, 10, 12 Corn
champion regions
some farmers
To respond to farmers 100 Million
demands for organic fertilizers
To expand seed choices and 20 Million
make available other varieties
including traditional rice
varieties
To promote high value rice (i.e. Realignment of
high value rice—heriloom, some of hybrid
pigmented rice) in areas most rice budget
suited for this type of
production
To help reduce women and 500 Million
small farmers’ cost of
production especially in areas
that are not prioritized in the
RCEF
To assist LGUs and farmers 150 Million
organizations in providing
mobile drying services in their
communities esp during rainy
season and after a devastating
typhoon or other ordinary days
when drying is difficult
To increase seed choices most 30 Million
appropriate fo0r
To increase palay procurement From 7 Billion to
and correspondingly improve 40 Billion
NFA’s facilities to
accommodate the 30 days
mandate
To help stabilize prices and
markets 500 Million
To provide support for corn 50 Million
organizations in establishing
and managing their own
feedmills to help generate local
employment in this time of
pandemic
To safeguard farmer’s 250 M
incomes, stabilize corn supply
and prices. To guarantee corn
quality for future deliveries
months after harvest. In
 preparation for the
implementation of the
Warehouse Receipt Law,
where PHF and storage play a
vital role to guarantee integrity
of corn in later deliveries to the
market.

 Rice Corn Blend Project Budget for To implement PRDD’s 50 M

regions 2, 10, 12 launched RCB project in Davao
early in his term. To
complement rice staple supply.
To offer health and wellness
and more nutritious staple. To
help in eradicating diabetes
incidence in the country for
corn has low glycemic index.

 Budget for Corn Silage Project in A synergy project with NDA 20 Million
Claveria Misamis Oriental Region and the Dairy farmers to
10 provide a healthier feedstock to
Dairy animals thus more yield
 of milk per dairy cow. To
provide alternative market for
the corn farmers.

 Budget for Corn Seed develop by To empower local farmers 20 Million

PhilMaize produce their own corn seeds.
To provide cheaper good
quality at par in terms of yield
for the corn farmers.
 Quedan system for To help stabilize prices and 500 Million
livestock/warehouse receipt program markets

 Free insurance premium for dairy, To provide assistance to 50 Million

cattles and goats--beneficiaries of DA animal raisers in this time of
livestock dispersal program pandemic

 Increase budget for repopulation and To replace lost incomes of ASF 100 Million
prioritize small/backyard raisers/rural affected farmers
women
 Provide ASF affected backyard raisers To support income 100 Million
other livestock (small ruminants) diversification of ASF affected
farmers
 provision for fertilizers  No support for fertilizers in the 100 Million
current budget
 Increase budget for coffee, cacao  To Increase yield esp of cacao, 50 Million
 Increase budget for capacity building of coffee and abaca
HVCCC technicians
 Hydroponics food production program
in island barangays
Organic Hubs with components of the
following:
 seed-banking for conservation
 seed reserve for disaster relief and also
for potential rice vending if no disaster
occurs
 Consumer education on organic
products consumption
 Soils Health Program
 Support for Men and Women farmers’
organic production
 Renewable energy
 Organic Certification/PGS training
support for small farmers
 Capacity Building to Localize Organic
Policies (PGS, standards, etc and
Information dissemination on PGS
implementation and roll out
Strengthen market linkage and intelligence
 Actively register community based
enterprises to Strengthen
commodity supply information
system
 Actively seek institutional markets
to link with the community
enterprises
 Provide or arrange a support
platform support for product
deliveries to markets
 Monitoring of importation arrivals to
serve as market-based Early
Warning System to support early
action decisions and mitigate price
drops
 Free food chemistry analysis
assistance of processed food products
produced by community enterprises
 Research and development and pilot
Distribution of women-friendly
machineries (light and easy to operate)
in rice, corn, hvcc and other crops
 Development of a program to support
informal seed system
To increase access to food in 50 million
food and nutrient deficient and
hard to reach/GIDA areas
To increase organic production See OA hub
market for organically grown establishment
products budget (see
budget above)
To provide equal opportunities
for women
To set policy environment for From same
organic support budget
To strengthen market linkaging 50 Million
To help generate information
on available supply and
location versus corresponding
market demand
Currently, AMAS cannot
provide real time information
on where and what
commodities are experiencing
oversupply or project seasonal
market changes (market
analysis)
To support community food- 50 Million
based enterprises access
greater markets and ensure
food safety
To support competitiveness Realignment of
building among women farmers some of 5B
budget for small
machines needed
by women
To pilot a program recognizing 20 Million
small farmers as seed-keepers
and strengthening farmers role
in seed conservation and
sustainable use of PGR as
 mandated by the International
Treaty of Plant Genetic
Resources for Food and
Agriculture
 Budget for actual soil restoration Improve soils health, soil’s Additional 250
projects in highly eroded and nutrient water-holding capacities to Million
deficient soils around the country and enhance our adaptive
areas reeling from desertification capacities to climate change
(and not just procurement of soil and increased climate
laboratories) variability including the
projected shorter ENSO
returns due to climate change
 Establishment of Municipal Fisheries Assist local government 300 Million
Office in LGU (for pilot in 4th-6th class units in the following:
municipalities
(a) Updating and Policy Guidance
alignment of the
fisheries ordinance to
various relevant laws
and policies such as
those of the FMAs that
the LGU is a part of;
(b) Formulation, updating
and implementation of
municipal fisheries
development plan;
(c) Implementation of the
annual fisherfolk
registration and
licensing, boat
registration and gear
inventory;
(d) Setting up and
implementation of
municipal catch
documentation and
traceability system;
(e) Provide secretariat
support to the
M/CFARMC and
IFARMC, if needed;
(f) Serve as the liaison of
BFAR Regional Offices
in relation to fisheries-
related information and
policies to the
municipal level such as
but not limited to FMAs
the LGU is part of and
the Malinis at
Masaganang
Karagatan (MMK);
(g) Establishment,
 improvement and
operationalization of
Community Fish
Landing Center;
(h) Serve as the liaison of
the NFARMC
secretariat to the
M/CFARMC;

Recommend measures to the

 For Municipal Capture Fisheries.
Establishment of Municipal Catch
Documentation and Traceability System
(MCDTS)
 Establishment of semi-concrete docking
areas (10 pilot municipalities)
 Establishment of women managed
areas (Pilot in 50 municipalities)
 Fisherfolk Settlement Areas
Sanggunian and/or the local
chief executive, as the case
may be, which are aimed at
sustainable management of
coastal and fisheries
resources;
Electronic MCDTS 50 Million
To provide safe docking areas 100 llion
for small fishing boats as
protection from extreme events
To recognize women’s role in 50 Million
fisheries and protect women’s
fishing areas
To establish and prepare 300 Million
actual fisherfolk settlement
areas

Provide technical guideline for

the establishment of fisherfolk
settlement areas in
coordination with relevant
government agencies and
ensure areas targeted are not
located in hazard zones
 Social Protection for Fishers affected by To support fishers affected by 300 Million
closed seasons closed seasons )2 months)
 Income diversification (container
gardens for fisherfolk communities  Zamboanga
 Cash transfers  Balayan
 Palawan
 Visayan Sea
 Davao Gulf

NFRDI  Cost Benefit Study and Who are the To produce evidences as 30 Million
real winners in the Closed Season bases for policy and program
Policy development
 Research on Impact of COVID in
fisheries and potential program and
budget implications
 Additional budget to finance Research
agenda and capacity building on
 research for each FMA cluster
PCA  Coconut replanting in typhoon To fast-track coconut Realignment to
devastated areas (prioritize areas rehabilitation in typhoon prioritize the
devastated by 2019-2020 tropical devastated areas typhoon
cyclones-Bicol region, Quezon, devastated areas
Mindoro and Aurora
 Expand support to coconut-based To expand areas and reach 50 Million
products processing
 Coconut farmers registration To validate existing list of 30 Million
coconut farmers
TOTAL ALTERNATIVE BUDGET PROPOSALS 46,202,000,000