THE CONTEMPORARY

WORLD

Food Security
Analysis
Estik-ow Manila, Philippines
Arellano,
Jumawan
Lima, Rarugal
Overview

Introduction
Components of Food Security
Identified Challenges
Proposed Solutions
Conclusions
 Introduction
Food security is a critical issue in Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. Located in
Southeast Asia, the city faces numerous challenges in ensuring that its population has
access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. With a rapidly growing population and
limited agricultural land, Manila struggles to meet the food demands of its residents.

Food security is a pressing issue in Manila, Philippines. The city faces challenges
due to urbanization, poverty, climate change, and reliance on imported food.
Efforts are being made to address these challenges and ensure that all
residents have access to sufficient and nutritious food.
Components of
Food Security
Food Availability
Food Access
Food Utilization
Food Stability
Food Availability Food Access
Food availability in Manila, Philippines is relatively
high compared to rural areas. The Philippine Statistics Authority gauges this issue
by analyzing the subsistence incidence, which is the
The city benefits from its urban environment, with percentage of Filipinos below the food poverty line
various markets, supermarkets, and food distribution with income levels below the food threshold.
channels.
The food threshold, based on FNRI's national and
Manila's proximity to agricultural regions and well- provincial food bundles and retail prices of
connected transportation network contribute to its ingredients, is the minimum income needed for
food availability. basic food and nutritional needs.

The Philippines has a diverse agricultural sector that Around half of Filipino families considered
produces a wide range of food products, including themselves poor during the second quarter of
rice, vegetables, fruits, poultry, and fish. 2023, according to a survey conducted by OCTA
Research. The poll, carried out from July 22 to 26,
However, the country also relies on imports for found that 50% of Filipino families, or around 13.2
certain food items like wheat, dairy products, and million households, rated themselves as poor.
meat.
Food Utilization Food Stability

UNICEF, DOH, NNC, FAO, and WHO :

Food stability refers to the ability of a
Report that failing food systems and poor
population to maintain access to food during
diets contribute to the triple burden of
normal times and in times of crisis, such as
malnutrition, including undernutrition,
natural disasters or economic shocks.
overnutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies
in children.
Manila is vulnerable to various risks that can

Cheaper unhealthy food, such as junk food affect food stability, including typhoons,

and sweets, would appeal better to flooding, and price fluctuations, which can
individuals in lower income levels than fruits disrupt the food supply chain, leading to
and vegetables of higher prices, as they are temporary shortages and price spikes.
simply looking for something to eat within
their financial capacity (pang-laman-tiyan or
pantawid-gutom in Filipino) rather than the
nutrition in it.
 Identified Challenges
There are several main challenges and problems related to food security in Manila, Philippines,
which have a significant impact on the population:

Limited Agricultural Land - Manila is a highly urbanized area with limited land available for
agriculture.

Vulnerability to Natural Disasters - The Philippines, including Manila, is prone to natural

disasters such as typhoons, floods, and droughts.

Post-Harvest Losses - Inefficient post-harvest practices contribute to significant losses in food

availability.

Poverty - in the Philippines has been linked to bad governance, corruption, and a political
system dominated by political dynasties.
Proposed Solutions
Solutions to address the identified problems and improve food availability, access,
utilization, and stability in Manila, Philippines:

Sustainable Urban Agriculture: Support urban farming, vertical gardening, and

rooftop gardens in Manila to maximize agricultural land, and promote innovative
techniques like hydroponics and aquaponics for increased food production.

Disaster Preparedness and Resilience: Advocate for stronger infrastructure and

policies to protect agricultural lands and ensure disaster preparedness, including
evacuation plans, early warning systems, and emergency supplies.

Improved Post-Harvest Practices: Increase awareness about effective post-harvest

handling techniques for agricultural products, support the use of technologies to
reduce losses, and promote cold storage and efficient transportation systems.
Poverty Alleviation: Engage in sustainable economic development, poverty
reduction, quality education, vocational training, entrepreneurship, and good
governance to combat corruption and promote equitable resource distribution.

Collaboration and Advocacy: Collaborate with local government units, non-

governmental organizations, and other stakeholders to push for policies and
programs that address food security challenges. Engage in advocacy efforts to
raise awareness about the importance of food security and the need for
sustainable solutions.
Conclusion
Food security in Manila, Philippines is a pressing issue due to urbanization,
poverty, climate change, and reliance on imported food. However, efforts are
underway to tackle these challenges and ensure all residents have access to
enough nutritious food. This includes sustainable urban agriculture, disaster
preparedness, improved post-harvest practices, poverty alleviation, and
collaboration and advocacy.
 THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD

Thank You
For Your
Attention
Estik-ow
Arellano,
Jumawan
Lima, Rarugal