A task force has been formed by the Agriculture and Agrarian Reform (AGRI-AGRA) Team to monitor and address the potential impact of the Middle East crisis on the Philippines’ food security, agriculture sector, and overall economy.
According to Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, the newly created task force will focus on overseeing and responding to possible disruptions in food supply and price increases in the country amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
A meeting was held on Tuesday, March 31, composed of members from the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the Senate, the House of Representatives, and local government units, who will closely monitor the effects of rising geopolitical tensions on food supply and pricing.
During the meeting, officials discussed strategies and measures to develop a concrete plan aimed at preventing a potential food crisis.
The AGRI-AGRA Team aims to address challenges faced by the agriculture and fisheries sectors and mitigate their impact on consumers. It will also ensure that assistance, support, and aid reach the most affected sectors.
“Pagtutulungan natin, i-monitor, bumuo ng isang ad-hoc committee, crisis committee, ang Agri-Agra team para bantayan itong magiging tulong, suporta, ayuda, assistance sa ating food security concerns,” Pangilinan said.
Pangilinan added that part of the agreement includes pushing for a Bayanihan-style supplemental budget. The proposed measure seeks to allocate additional funding to support the agriculture sector and provide sufficient aid amid the threat of rising commodity prices.
The proposal also includes provisions such as the suspension of loan payments, a loan moratorium, and the deferment of interest payments to ease the burden on affected sectors.
“Binubuo na natin yung magiging proposed na mga probisyon sa isang supplemental budget na Bayanihan Act para isama diyan itong pagsuspendi, loan moratorium, pagsuspinde sa pagbabayad ng interes at iba pang mga dagdag na intervention para mabawasan itong pasanin ng ating mga kababayan lalo na tumataas ang presyo ng bilihin at nasa krisis tayo,” he said.
The proposed measure is similar to the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic, which included provisions such as the suspension of loan interest payments during national emergencies.
Pangilinan emphasized that current funds for aid and support may be insufficient, warning of possible increases in food prices and difficulties faced by food producers and transport workers.
“Kulang ang budget para sa ayuda, suporta, magkakaroon ng potential na problema sa pagtaas ng presyo ng pagkain, hirap ang ating mga food producers, hirap ang ating mga transport workers, at kinakailangan ng supplemental budget para matugunan ang mga problema dulot nitong sigalot sa Middle East,” he added.
Also present at the meeting were Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III, and Representatives Leah Bulut-Begtang, Mark Enverga, and Joey Salceda.
