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SENATORIAL aspirant Erwin Tulfo promised to initiate moves to review laws and government regulations in the face of skyrocketing prices of food and farm products.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tulfo, who is running under Lakas in May 12 elections, noted a practice in which the traders or middlemen acquire the agricultural produce right in the farm gates at very low price, and sell the same in the market at very high price.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n “As a result of this practice, our farmers, hog raisers and poultry growers earn less. It is the traders who earn much,” Tulfo said.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cNariyan po ang problema sa pagkain, and everybody is experiencing that high cost of living. Kailangan na pong gawan ng paraan. Kailangan po siguro balikan ng Senado, ng Kongreso ang mga batas na ito,\u201d he added.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n According to Tulfo, it would be advisable if suggested retail price is being followed to control the prices of food and other prime commodities.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cKung kinakailangan, maglagay ng Suggested Retail Price para po ika nga makontrol ang presyo po ng pagkain,\u201d stressed Tulfo.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Agriculture is a major sector of the Philippine economy, ranking third among the sectors in 2022 behind only services and industry. As of 2022, the sector employs 24% of the Filipino workforce, and accounts for 8.9% of the total gross domestic product (GDP).<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Indubitably, Tulfo said, farmers which include those in the four sub sectors of the agriculture (farming, fisheries, livestock, and forestry), need every help they can get, especially in the face of growing population.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tulfo made the statement on Monday, March 24, during Quezon City 1st<\/sup> district Rep. Juan Carlos \u201cArjo\u201d Atayde\u2019s first State of the District Address (SODA) at SM North Edsa Skydome in Quezon City.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The senatorial aspirant \u2014 who congratulated Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Rep. Atayde for making their city progressive and for always being there for their constituents in times of uncertainties \u2014 encouraged the people to pray for the country to attain unity and progress.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cMay problema pong pinagdadaanan ang ating bayan. Alam nyo ho naman ito kung ano,\u201d Tulfo said.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cAng pakiusap ko lang po muna, ipanalangin po natin ang ating mga lider ngayon at noon, na bigyan sila ng malakas na pangangatawan, malampasan ang mga pagsubok na kanilang dinaraanan ngayon, at ipagdasal po natin ang ating bayan na muling magkaisa,\u201d he further said.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Some of the plans he intends to carry out once he gets into the Senate include a review of legislations calling for monthly allowance for senior citizens subject to the availability of funds, and for the companies to accept elderly applicants for certain gainful work.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tulfo also promised to do something about the plight of the barangay officials, who should be given standardized salary, which should be taken from the annual budget of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n