Villar Sees Hike in Rice Production This Year

Senator Cynthia Villar hopes that the country’s rice productivity will improve this year with the passage of the General Appropriations Act for 2019.

Villar, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, told local media in a short interview Sunday that the budget will be passed next week.

“Our PHP10-billion budget for agriculture is intended to improve our rice productivity this year,” Villar said.

She said she hopes the country’s rice production will eventually increase to six metric tons from the current four metric tons per hectare.

“Hopefully, ma-modernize din ang agriculture natin (our agriculture industry will also be modernized),” she added.

Villar was among the government officials who graced the Sinulog 2019 celebration at the Cebu City Sports Center, where the dance competition contingents make their final performance.

“I’m happy to be here to celebrate the Fiesta Señor with the Cebuanos,” the lady lawmaker said.

Villar, who has also attended the previous Sinulog events, said the festival has always been a nice experience “where you can see the culture and heritage of Cebu.”

“I admire the creativity of the Cebuanos. And of course, it’s for our Sto. Niño. Hopefully, with this festival, pagpapalain lalo ang mga Cebuano (Cebuanos would further be blessed),” she said in concluding her brief talk with media people.

Meanwhile, several showbiz personalities joined the grand Sinulog parade aboard the floats of different contingents.

They include Alden Richards, Regine Tolentino, Coco Martin, Yassi Pressman, John Pratts, Maja Salvador and Bea Alonzo, among more others. (PNA)