Food insecurity and Hunger: The Marcos Administration landmark policy in addressing it.

Submitted by: Michellene P. Tadle

Food is a basic human need; everyone needs food to live. But ensuring adequate food security,
and more importantly nutrition security is a global challenge to reduce the risks of hunger, malnutrition
and even climate change and other conflicts. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. stressed the importance
of food supply and called on Department of Agriculture (DA) officials to address food production quickly
and appropriately. “Food security remains a top priority on the national agenda,” and We will adhere to
our vision of achieving a prosperous, resilient and secure Philippines by 2040, he said. The overarching
goal of this government is to build an inclusive society where no one goes hungry, Filipinos live long and
healthy lives, are provided with an environment of trust and security, innovate and respond wisely to
problems.

As articulated in AmBisyon Natin 2040, the Filipino people desire a stable and high level of well-
being wherein they are secure in the knowledge that they have enough to provide for their wants and
needs and can prepare for their own and their families’ futures. Amid the multiple threats to food
security from both global and domestic sources, the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023–2028
underscores collective action that will keep food prices within the reach of every Filipino. This will be
pursued by diversifying food supply sources, strengthening buffer stocks for emergencies, optimizing
digital platforms for the marketing and delivery of food, and proactively monitoring the supply and
demand for key commodities. In addition, our country needs a transformative social protection system
that will empowers every Filipino to prevent, respond to, and recover from possible shocks. Such a
transformative system would help us go beyond risk management intervention and includes responses
to structural vulnerabilities and social discrimination that will help us all Filipinos access programs
covering all types of risks throughout our lifetime.

Last year during his speech at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in
Bangkok Thailand, the President said that Food security must be a top priority for all governments and
developing economies must have the policy flexibility needed to ensure an increased domestic food
production and diversification and to improve the local agricultural supply and value chain. In addition,
the President not only is the administration working on providing quality food security for all, but also on
improving and strengthening the country’s agricultural sector, which plays an integral role in the impact
of climate change and economic growth; and becoming one step closer in making the Philippines a
leading agricultural resource hub in the region and the world.

Hence, to ensure food security and proper nutrition of Filipino families and their members,
concerted efforts of the government, private sector, and other stakeholders will be geared toward
attaining sufficient and stable supply of food commodities; expanding access of consumers to affordable,
safe, and nutritious food; and improving nutrition across all ages. Such strategies will help reduce food
insecurity and end hunger by providing accessible and affordable safe and nutritious food for all
Filipinos, at all times.