Senator Cynthia Villar yesterday said the Senate is pushing for more funds to mitigate the effects of the El Niño phenomenon, and bared that additional assistance has been earmarked for organic agriculture next year.

Villar, who cut the ribbon at the opening of the Farmers Organic Market Bagsakan at May's Organic Garden in Brgy. Pahanocoy, Bacolod City, also reiterated that the P2 billion to be annually provided to boost the sugarcane industry has already been included in the 2016 national budget.

The allocation of the fund is required under the Sugarcane Industry Development Act authored by Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3 rd District) in the House, and co-authored by Villar and several other senators in the Senate.

Villar, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, said the Department of Agriculture has informed the Senate that P 1.8 billion has been allocated to mitigate the incoming El Niño phenomenon.

“We believe that is too little, the Senate will pass a resolution that savings in 2015 also be used for El Niño mitigation,” she said.

Meanwhile, she said the National Organic Program of the DA has been required to help organic farmers produce organic fertilizer.

She said 100 composting facilities will be given to 100 public markets in the Philippines.

Villar also said that 100 machines for vermi-composting will also be given to organic cooperatives and farmers organizations.

The senator commended Negros Occidental for its success in organic agriculture having the most number of organic and tourist farms in the country.

She said her itinerary yesterday included visits to four organic farms in Negros Occidental and the Organization for Industrial Spiritual and Cultural Advancement silkworm farm in Bago City.

“We're looking at models of different kinds of farms to promote more livelihood options for our constituents,” she said.

Villar also disclosed that her bill making agricultural smuggling economic sabotage has passed on second reading in the Senate.

She said the bill is geared towards deterring smuggling and giving more teeth to the law.*KDP

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