Bill directs local governments to boost agri-fishery support with higher tax share
AGRI Party-list Representative Wilbert T. Lee has filed a bill requiring local governments to allocate 10% of their national tax share to agriculture and fisheries sector development.
The lawmaker cited the Supreme Court’s Mandanas-Garcia ruling, which granted local government units (LGUs) a larger share of national taxes.
“As a result, LGUs ought to have a higher budget that can directly provide interventions to their local needs,” he said in House Bill No. 7597’s explanatory note.
“In this new fiscal regime, there is a strong case to be made for greater prioritization and just share of the agricultural sector for its growth and development,” he added.
The Mandanas ruling took effect in 2022, but the corresponding devolution of national agencies’ functions to LGUs has been delayed due to capacity concerns at the local level.
If enacted into law, LGUs should establish a three-year strategic plan for agriculture and fisheries development in their localities based on the framework and principles set by the Agriculture department and the National Economic and Development Authority.
LGUs are also tasked to provide training for small farmers, fisherfolk, and micro and small agricultural enterprises in production, processing, trade and promotion, as well as establishing strategies against pest management and food safety.
“Agriculture is one of the most important sectors in our society, not just in providing jobs and livelihood, but also in ensuring that there is food in every household in the country,” Mr. Lee said.
Agricultural production shrank by 0.1% in 2022, a third straight year of decline in crops and fisheries output, based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz
