TO ensure rice self-sufficiency and food security for 100 million Filipinos, two lawmakers said Congress should enact a measure that would create a National Food Security Council (NFSC).
Party-list Rep. Agapito H. Guanlao of Butil and Liberal Party Rep. Winston Castelo of Quezon City authored House Bills (HBs) 4611 and 5210, respectively, which sought to establish NFSC.
Guanlao and Castelo have vowed to refile their bill in the next Congress, as the lower chamber failed to approve their measures on final reading.
In HB 4611, the NFSC will be tasked closely monitor production in agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and mariculture and rationalize the use of farm infrastructure.
The bill wants to harmonize the programs and functions of the National Food Authority (NFA), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Fertilizer and Pesticides Authority (FPA) and Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) without effecting changes in their charters.
Under the bill, the NFSC will be attached to the Office of the President and will be responsible for policy-making, planning, regulating and coordinating policies and directives concerning food production. The proposal calls for the crafting of a National Food Security Strategic Development Framework (FSSDF) ensure the adequate and continuous supply of rice, corn, grain and other key food products at affordable prices.
In terms of pest management, NSFC will promote, monitor and utilize environment-friendly production technologies and application, including regulation of inputs for pest management and control.
If enacted, HB 4611 will rationalize agriculture extension work and its development in the overall food security thrusts and directions. The NFSC is expected to ensure the availability and accessibility of food grains, flour and other food commodities in the market. It will closely monitor and regulate imports, especially rice and corn.
The bill also seeks to confront challenges in shrinking agricultural lands, degradation of food resource bases, climate change and reduced food ecosystem and biodiversity.
It provides for the formation of a Congressional oversight committee in the Senate and House of Representatives to monitor the implementation of the Act.
Meanwhile, HB 5210 requires the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and the Philippine Charity and Sweepstakes Office to set aside P20 billion as Food Security Fund to support the NFSC.Castelo said achieving food sufficiency necessitates the formation of a government office that would exclusively focus on food security.