By Gabriela Baron
Farmers urged President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to prioritize local food production amid the rising cost of foodstuff and basic staples.
“The country and the population reels from the looming shortage and exorbitant prices of main food staples including rice, onion, sugar, flour, and vegetables,” Kilusan ng Magbubukid sa Pilipinas (KMP) Chairperson Emeritus and former Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano said.
“This food crisis issue is already of national concern. Ang kasunod sa krisis sa pagkain ay mas malalang kagutuman ng mamamayan,” Mariano added.
Softdrinks manufacturer Coca-Cola Beverage Philippines, Inc. announced Wednesday, Aug. 24, that the operations of some of its plants have been halted due to sugar shortage.
READ MORE: Coca-Cola production affected by sugar shortage
Meanwhile, fast food chain Burger King earlier said its operations are affected by a shortage of supply of onions in the country.
Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban on Monday, Aug. 22, admitted that salt is also in short supply.
To address the ongoing food crisis, Mariano said the national government must rely on domestic production, use lands for domestic food production, use funds for domestic production, and promote Filipino food producers’ rights and culture.
“Dapat seryosong palakasin ang lokal na produksyon at hindi importasyon ng pagkain,” he added.
Food security admin’s priority
Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez during a Senate inquiry stressed that food security is a priority of the Marcos administration.
Rodriguez assured that Marcos Jr. wanted to ensure that food would be available to all.
“There is nothing more important than food security and its availability to the most ordinary Filipino,” he told lawmakers.
He added that the Marcos administration is working for food price stability to “achieve our goal that no Filipino would get hungry, because if neglected, it might cause social unrest.” (With reports from PNA) –ag
