Philippines to Help Growers Displaced by Tobacco Law

Source from:  Tobacco Reporter 06/27/2011

The Philippines' Department of Agriculture (DoA) has told tobacco growers they will be given help following the production downturn that will be caused by the imposition of tobacco control measures under a new anti-smoking law, according to a story in The Manila Times. Agriculture undersecretary, Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, said that tobacco growers who would be affected by the looming decline in production would benefit from 'livelihood projects' provided under the auspices of the National Convergence Initiative of the DoA, and by the departments of Agrarian Reform and of Environment and Natural Resources. "Definitely, the tobacco industry will be affected by the law," she said. "However, we have alternative livelihood programs to help the tobacco farmers directly affected by the decline in tobacco production." Based on National Tobacco Authority records, the new law could impact upon more than 57,000 farmers engaged in tobacco growing. Enditem