PGMA traced the lessons learned from the 1930 depression to the 1997 financial crisis and the role of global initiatives vis-a-vis our local cooperative banks
I recently attended the 75th birthday of Congresswoman Leonila V. Chavez. The affair coincided with the Butil Farmers’ Day. No less than PGMA graced the occasion. The theme is “Bagong Magsasaka para sa Bagong Panahon.” After a short but substantive introduction by Ms. Chavez, the President traced the lessons learned from the 1930 depression to the 1997 financial crisis and the role of global initiatives vis-a-vis our local cooperative banks. The track of self – reliance by coop banks started by the group Of Butil is a good strategy Its scholarship, health and education program for farmers’ children speaks of a long term proactive practice that truly made a difference. The President said that her administration’s strategy is “Palakasin any Ekonomiya.- Through job creation, livelihood, infrastructure- in tandem with the millennium development goals like poverty alleviation, hunger mitigation and health improvement prepared our country for the global crisis and financial meltdown.
Before going to Butil’s Farmers’ Day, the President talked with Brunei’s Sultan Bolkiah to support the Philippine initiative to insure cash flows of Asian countries by setting up a fund. Asian countries include Japan, China, etc. Sultan Bolkiah promised to support this initiative. It was altogether an inspired speech. She thanked Butil and all farmers for feeding the Filipino nation and for leading the way for the economic empowerment of farmers.