In solidarity with World Bread Day and World Food Day on October 16, Senator Imee Marcos turned the spotlight on the growing issue of food shortages in the country, urging the government to better support farmers so they can increase their production rather than relying more on importation.
“Importation is not the answer to our food crisis; it’s the Filipino farmer. Why are we enriching Vietnamese, Indian, and Thai farmers while neglecting our own?” said Marcos in a news release from her office, referring to the reduction of rice tariffs.
The senator argued that government reliance on imports is starving and killing Filipino farmers. She instead called for better mechanisms that would support Filipino farmers to boost their agricultural output and connect them to more consumers.
“Provide transport subsidies to farmers in Visayas and Mindanao, as well as vegetable growers in the North and Cordillera. Don’t just give them aid but offer modest yet reliable wages to small farmers and fishermen,” she added.
Marcos further suggested utilizing idle government lands to empower young farmers as a way to combat hunger and address issues of high food prices and food shortages.
The senator also shared her ongoing projects aimed at boosting agriculture, such as the Young Farmers Challenge, Agrarian Reform, Cooperative Initiatives, and efforts to double farmers’ incomes.
Marcos, along with former senator Panfilo Lacson, led the distribution of free pandesal to the residents of Quezon City as part of the celebration of World Pandesal Day.
