Gov’t urged to create food security plan before declaring state of agri emergency

Senator JV Ejercito on Wednesday urged the national government to create a comprehensive plan on food security before declaring a state of agricultural emergency.

Ejercito issued the remark after several calls to declare either a state of calamity or a state of emergency to address various issues in the country's agricultural sector.

"Food security is inevitably tied to national security so this is very crucial. But again, as a matter of principle—first, I would like to see a comprehensive plan," Ejercito said in a statement.

"What are the specifics of the declaration of a state of emergency in agriculture?" he added.

The senator, however, expressed his support for any proposal put forward by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., who had designated himself Agriculture secretary.

"As a matter of principle, I am generally supportive of proposals that will allow the Executive to address some of the more serious problems our country faces. Especially with this one as this concerns the food security of our nation," he said.

He then called the Congress to monitor the implementation of emergency measures to prevent abuses.

"I would like to see a strong legislative oversight in terms of the executive implementation of the state of emergency. The legislature should be allowed to fulfill its role of ensuring transparency and that powers will not be abused," Ejercito said.

The senator also expressed hope that Marcos will discuss his plans for the agricultural sector in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25.

“I am sure that all legislators will study his administration’s priority proposals as soon as the relevant government agencies provide us with detailed plans," he added.

Marcos earlier met with members of the Private Sector Advisory Council to discuss ways to aid the agriculture sector.

During his campaign, Marcos said he would recommend a price cap on rice to reduce prices to as low as P20 per kilogram.

He has yet to provide specific details on the plan, which he later noted was an "aspiration." He added that he has since talked to traders and asked them to freeze prices.

Farmers, however, worry that lowering rice prices would keep them from earning a sustainable income. — BM, GMA News