By: Francis Cortes and Wychelle Co
QUEZON CITY, Philippines —
The Asian NGO Coalition for Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (ANGOC), with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) organized a forum on food security and nutrition legislation last 24 June 2019 at the University Hotel, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City.
A total of 45 individuals (21 females and 24 males) from civil society organizations (CSOs), the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD), Senate Economic Planning Office (SEPO), the FAO Legislative Advisory Group’s Technical Working Group (FLAG-PH TWG), and agencies from the executive branch such as the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Nutrition Council (NNC), were in attendance. This activity signified FLAG-PH’s first joint engagement with both the legislative and executive branches of government.
Undersecretary Ariel Cayanan from the DA began the forum proper by presenting an update on the current situation of the agricultural and fisheries (agri-fisheries) sectors in the country, citing their significance to the economy, growth in spite of natural disaster damages as well as the issue of food security. He mentioned different challenges, such as sustaining food security, out-of-agriculture labor migration, the declining performance of the fisheries sub-sector due to degraded resources, low levels of competitiveness among rice farmers, and shrinking agricultural land.
Usec. Cayanan also spoke about the DA’s commitment to food sustainability, greater food production, and poverty reduction via programs including the establishment of farm to market roads, solar-powered irrigation systems, production and post-harvest facilities, the establishment of logistics and transport facilities, and easy access credit and insurance, in order to enhance the efficiency of agri-fisheries, and livelihood quality for farmers. Programs aimed at enhancing different agri-fisheries commodities for rice, corn, high value crops, livestock, and fisheries, in particular were also mentioned.
Two special projects that the DA is working on were also presented; these are the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD), and the Philippine Rural Development Project (PRDP), which aims to alleviate poverty in the poorest areas of the country via livelihood intervention and establish a modernized and climate resilient agri-fisheries sector, respectively.
Dr. Azucena Dayanghirang, Executive Director of the NNC, followed with a presentation on the nutrition situation and the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN). With millions of Filipinos suffering from nutrition-related conditions such as stunting, wasting, being overweight, obesity, and micro nutrient deficiencies, the state of malnutrition in the country is alarming. In response to the state of malnutrition, Dr. Dayanghirang explained the importance of investing in nutrition and related programs, stating that national and local development cannot be sustained without adequate nutrition. One important program mentioned was the First 1000 Days Program (F1K), wherein the most crucial development period of a child must be handled carefully and appropriately in order to avoid irreversible developmental problems.
It was also discussed that the losses the country experiences due to under nutrition amount to 4.5 billion dollars, and that addressing malnutrition would solve 12 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Dr. Dayanghirang then explained the PPAN’s framework for nutrition action involves programs that are nutrition-specific (directly addressing malnutrition), nutrition-sensitive (addressing the underlying causes of malnutrition), and enabling, which will involve local government unit (LGU) mobilization and the integration of nutrition in development programs. Reaching geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, communities of Indigenous Peoples (IPs), and the urban poor especially those in resettlement areas, is also a strategic thrust of the PPAN. There was a general consensus among participants to support the implementation and PPAN.
During the Q&A, the various CSOs present raised their concerns and clarifications regarding the executive branch’s respective presentations, and other related matters. A common concern among those present regarded the implementation of the programs mentioned by the agencies, and how current projects are not being enacted effectively. In response, the concerns raised were reaffirmed by the agencies present, with budget provisions and LGU performance mentioned as key issues that hinder the programs’ effectivity.
Mr. Giovanni Reyes of Bukluran ng mga Katutubo Para sa Pangangalaga ng Kalikasan ng Pilipinas also cited that the protection of ancestral lands and watersheds, from conversion and mining activities should be prioritized in order to protect levels of biodiversity, food availability, and prevent further biological contamination such as arsenic and mercury poisoning in fish due to mining. The situation of farmers turning to third party credit and insurance sellers because they are unable to pay back credit from government loans was also mentioned by Mr. Reyes.
Mr. Ruperto Aleroza of Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Samahan sa Kanayunan (PKSK) spoke about the issues that the fisherfolk face, such as projects that are detrimental to bodies of water, wherein fishing activities are carried out and how the preferential use rights of municipal fishers are not being followed.
The SEPO and CPBRD followed with their presentation, regarding the status of legislation relevant to food security and nutrition. Mr. Peter Turingan of SEPO spoke about the two major laws that define food security in the country, namely Republic Act 8435 (RA 8435) or the Agricultural and Fishery Modernization Act of 1997, which focuses on food security, poverty alleviation, social equity, income enhancement, global competitiveness, and sustainability, and the Local Government Code of the Philippines, which establishes the role of LGUs as being responsible for delivering direct agri-fisheries extension services. He also categorized present and pending laws in the Senate, under the four pillars of food security: Food Availability, Food Access, Utilization, and Stability. For the CPBRD, Mr. Prince Cal Mamhot talked spoke about what has been done regarding food security and legislation, such as RA 11203 or the Rice Trade Liberalization Act, and RA 11310 or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act. He then talked about what needs to be done, such as strengthening the country’s agricultural insurance program, establishing Marine Protected Areas in all coastal municipalities all over the country and institutionalizing a National Land Use policy.
The panel of reactors then gave their statements to cap off the forum. Mr. Reyes reiterated the need to protect ancestral domains, and mentioned that of 19 bills on food security and nutrition presented, only five were relevant to Indigenous Peoples (IPs). For Mr. Rene Cerilla of Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka (PAKISAMA), the need to continue to push for effective and beneficial agrarian reform and rural development is still important, stating that if farmers are able to farm on land that they own, instances of malnutrition will be reduced. Mr. Ruperto Aleroza spoke in agreement with Mr. Cerilla, adding that the fisher folk experience the same issue of poverty, and that underlying complications in reform implementation must be addressed. Overall, the forum succeeded in providing a dialogue for updates between the agencies in attendance, with their respective efforts and concerns raised amongst each other. Furthermore, in order to address the malnutrition situation of the country, a collective agreement to support the PPAN was achieved, as well as a call for proper implementation of programs geared towards agrarian reform, and improving the welfare of farmers and fisherfolk, leading to a more sustainable food supply. ☐
