Lucena: Senatorial candidates of the administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas coalition on Friday vowed to advance key reforms in agriculture, transport infrastructure, and cooperative financing to strengthen farm productivity and support Southern Luzon's agri-based economy.

According to Philippines News Agency, during a press conference in Lucena, Quezon, one of the country's major agricultural provinces, former Senate president Vicente Sotto III highlighted the necessity for the national and local governments to purchase up to 50 percent of farmers' produce at farmgate prices. He explained that if the government buys at prices set by the farmers, the latter will make a profit immediately, enabling the produce to be sold at an affordable price, while leaving the rest to market traders.

Former Interior secretary Benhur Abalos stressed the importance of modernizing transport infrastructure, including the study of rail systems, to reduce logistical costs in farm-to-market delivery. He noted that transportation costs are high and emphasized that mass transport should be studied to ensure seamless product delivery.

Abalos also underscored the urgency of passing a national land use policy to identify strategic agricultural zones where the government could invest in irrigation and access roads. He advocated for cooperative-based marketing systems to facilitate access to credit and government subsidies. He suggested that if farmers group themselves as cooperatives, it will be easier for them to obtain loans, even at zero interest, and that local government units should serve as the first ready-market for their products.

The candidates believe these measures would enhance productivity, reduce poverty in rural areas, and improve the overall resilience of the country's agriculture sector.