Speaker seeks protection for food-producing provinces

MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Faustino Dy III has urged the government to protect provinces considered as major food producers to ensure food security.

At a briefing on El Niño preparedness conducted by the House committee on agriculture and food, Dy said food-producing provinces like Isabela are essential in safeguarding the nation’s food security.

He said that his home province of Isabela, one of the country’s top rice-producing provinces, supplies around 45 percent of the National Capital Region’s rice requirement.

Dy said protecting food-producing provinces requires not just emergency assistance, but also long-term investments that will enable farmers and irrigation systems to withstand climate-related disruptions.

He cited Isabela’s experience wherein provincial and national government agencies strengthened coordination, monitored water levels in Magat Dam and planned water releases in anticipation of prolonged dry conditions.

These steps were undertaken while the provincial government assisted farmers and fisherfolk, and pursued long-term water infrastructure projects, Dy said.

He said the country needs to invest in stronger and reliable irrigation systems, water-efficient technologies, community-based water management and climate-resilient agriculture.

These measures, Dy said, are important for agricultural provinces that serve as the country’s food baskets.

He urged government agencies to shift from reactive disaster response to proactive planning before the dry spell worsens.