Ilocos Sur First District Congressman Ronald V. Singson vowed his full support for all the programs and projects of the National Tobacco Administration (NTA).
Speaking before NTA’s top management and senior officials during the opening program of their Strategic Planning Workshop in Tagaytay City on February 1, Rep. Singson said that he would do his part to convince the executive department to give priority on the needs of the agency to address the concerns of the tobacco farmers.
He added that he will give preferential attention to the request of NTA for additional funding from the multi-billion Tobacco Fund for the development of the tobacco industry and addressing the concerns of the tobacco farmers.
Tobacco Fund, per Section 5 of the Republic Act (RA) 4155, or an Act to Promote and Strengthen the Virginia Tobacco Industry, signed by then President Ferdinand E. Marcos in 1964, shall be used for operational, office, and field expenses, including the establishment of the Research and Grading Institute.
The agency has already made a request to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for the release of a portion of the Tobacco Fund for the implementation of the various projects under its Sustainable Tobacco Enhancement Program (STEP).
“I will bring this concern of the NTA to the higher authorities, especially if you furnish me the copies of the project proposals for funding by the Tobacco Fund, with supporting documents justifying the need for the release of the Fund,” said Singson.
In response, NTA Administrator and CEO Belinda S. Sanchez expressed her gratitude to Congressman Singson for his commitment to strengthening the country’s tobacco industry.
She said that the NTA has always given priority to address the concerns of the tobacco farmers because they are the key players for the sustainability of the tobacco industry in the country.
Administrator Sanchez led senior officials, the branch managers, division chiefs, chief agriculturists, and members of the Board of Directors in the planning workshop held at the Hotel Dominique, Tagaytay City, to lay out the programs of the agency in the next six years.
(Freddie G. Lazaro)