NEWSFLASH

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CONVERSION OF FARMS STOPPED

Manila, Jan. 5, 1998 - The government is imposing a five-year moratorium on the conversion of prime agricultural land into industrial and residential estates.

Senator Edgardo Angara said that this provision is contained in the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act signed into law by President Ramos last month.

Angara is confident that the new law will force the government to help farmers increase their yield and make agriculture a highly profitable livelihood. Such a scenario, he said, would convince farmers not to sell their productive agricultural land.

As the author of the new measure, Angara said he hopes to make the agriculture and fisheries sectors the launching pads for the country's economic take-off by ensuring food security and transforming farmers and fishermen into globally-competitive entrepreneurs.

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