03 January 2006
Rosendo’s appeal
SMORGASBOARDLiway C. Manantan-Yparraguirre
THE inquiry on the P728 million fertilizer fund scam that is rocking the Department of Agriculture, just like the Garci controversy, is an investigation that is leading to nowhere.
Former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc Joc” Bolante, the person who is supposed to shed light on the matter is nowhere to be found, wittingly eluding summons o appear in the Senate.
One particular group seems to be feeling the brunt of that scam it never was a party to, nor benefited from it in terms of income.
Engineer Rosendo So, president of the Association of Fertilizer and Pesticide Distributors, Dealers and Outlets of Pangasinan (AFPDDOP) bared during their Christmas party that some of their members are being ‘harrassed’ by BIR agents.
“Naha-harass ang ilang kasamahan natin dahil sa fertilizer scam na hindi naman dumaan o pinakinabangan ng actual dealers. Ang problema, dahil sa nababasa sa diyaryo araw-araw ang tungkol sa scam, parang malaki ang kita ng mga fertilizer dealers,” he said matter of factly.
Part of the campaign of BIR to increase tax collection is to go around and check on businesses if they are paying the right taxes. But apparently, BIR agents became more aggressive when the fertilizer fund scam was uncovered.
Engr. So said some complained to him that the BIR men who visit them look not on their stocks or sales but on their buildings and would say, for example, “P5 million ito” or “P7 million ito, you should pay this much.”
“We pay our taxes, pero ang problema ino-over estimate ang sales ng isang outlet,” he lamented.
He added that in the past, the DA directly transacted with legitimate dealers and there was government subsidy. To help the farmers purchasing fertilizer, there was the ‘buy-one-take-one’ or ‘buy-two-take-one’ program of the government.
With the Masaganang Ani program of the present administration, what happened, said Engr. So, was that not only did they use or supposedly distributed liquid fertilizer, the people concerned allegedly did not transact directly with legitimate fertilizer dealers.
He appealed to their guests, Congressmen Mark O. Cojuanco and Conrad M. Estrella III of the fifth and sixth district, respectively, to help them bring their concerns to the House.
The two assured their friend they will serve as their voices in addressing this concern.
So also appealed to his members to report to him immediately any more ‘harassments’. “We have to be united and with one voice. Ang produkto natin ay para sa mga magsasaka, kailangan protektahan din natin sila,” he said.
*****
Congressman Cojuangco said he did not fund, through his Countrywide Development Fund, fertilizer purchases in his district not because he didn’t believe in the (agriculture) industry but because he would like to concentrate on agricultural infrastructure. These are the farm-to-market roads and he makes sure the roads are wide.
He said market for fertilizers and production of agricultural products would be enhanced if you make it easier for farmers to transport their produce to the market.
I agree with him that the effect is long lasting. Barangay folks have better roads which also serves as their solar dryer. And what is a solar dryer? Simply, it’s the concrete road na pinagbibiladan ng palay at mais.
One good news for my kababayans in Laoac, the congressman chose the municipality as the pilot area for his irrigation project. He will also launch here by next year a dairy industry.
The irrigation project of Cong. Cojuangco is like manna from heaven for the farmers. His program is to revive the abandoned deep-well pumps of the NIA (National Irrigation Authority) which were built in the late ‘70’s.
One was built in our barangay, Cabilaoan, and oh, how abundant the water that flowed!
He said market for fertilizers and production of agricultural products would be enhanced if you make it easier for farmers to transport their produce to the market.
I agree with him that the effect is long lasting. Barangay folks have better roads which also serves as their solar dryer. And what is a solar dryer? Simply, it’s the concrete road na pinagbibiladan ng palay at mais.
One good news for my kababayans in Laoac, the congressman chose the municipality as the pilot area for his irrigation project. He will also launch here by next year a dairy industry.
The irrigation project of Cong. Cojuangco is like manna from heaven for the farmers. His program is to revive the abandoned deep-well pumps of the NIA (National Irrigation Authority) which were built in the late ‘70’s.
One was built in our barangay, Cabilaoan, and oh, how abundant the water that flowed!
*****
December 30, 2003, Rizal Day. Place: Baguio City. The first family spent their Christmas here. Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo made a statement – she won’t run anymore for president by 2004. And she lied.
Are we to believe therefore statements she made last Rizal Day?
Let’s hope for the best, and brace for the worst this 2006. The implementation of the expanded VAT makes me quiver, what with domino effect of the increase of prices of some services and commodities.
Anyway, happy birthday to my father, Mr. Melchor G. Manantan, who’s celebrating his birthday on Janaury 6. Also to former San Carlos City vice mayor Harry Cagampan and Chief Insp. Harris Fama.
Are we to believe therefore statements she made last Rizal Day?
Let’s hope for the best, and brace for the worst this 2006. The implementation of the expanded VAT makes me quiver, what with domino effect of the increase of prices of some services and commodities.
Anyway, happy birthday to my father, Mr. Melchor G. Manantan, who’s celebrating his birthday on Janaury 6. Also to former San Carlos City vice mayor Harry Cagampan and Chief Insp. Harris Fama.
