Politics · Philippines Bureau
Lawmaker pushes P100M funding boost for Philippine ube industry
A party-list representative has called for dedicated government funding to support the Philippines' growing ube sector during legislative budget discussions. The proposal aims to strengthen the domestic purple yam industry through targeted investment.
LSN Philippines ·
Rep. Brian Poe of the FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-List advocated for a ₱100-million budget allocation for the Philippine ube industry during Thursday's Budget Amendments Review Sub-committee meeting at the House of Representatives.
As vice chair of the House Committee on Appropriations, Poe raised the funding request during agriculture budget deliberations. The proposal seeks to provide dedicated financial support for the sector at a time when ube products have gained increasing commercial prominence both domestically and internationally.
The party-list representative highlighted the need for government backing to strengthen ube production, processing, and marketing capabilities across the country. Such funding could support smallholder farmers, infrastructure development, and promotional activities for the sector.
Ube, the nutrient-rich purple yam native to the Philippines, has become increasingly popular in food products ranging from traditional desserts to contemporary confectionery and beverages. Industry stakeholders have long advocated for greater government support to maximize the crop's economic potential and expand market reach.