CEBU, Philippines — Preparations are now underway for the Cebu City government’s Food Security Summit that is tentatively set for April 25 to 26 in a still undisclosed venue.
Mayor Michael Rama had earlier urged his officials to organize a summit as soon as possible to address food supply concerns, amid the increasing inflation rate in the city and in the country, El Nino and the threats of the ASF.
“This will be our mechanism to really address issues on inflation and food security, because ultimately according to the mayor and Atty. Collin (Rosell, the executive secretary to the mayor), the product of this summit will be a Food Security Master Plan,” said lawyer Jerone Castillo in a press conference earlier.
The summit will gather producers from the backyard, farms, and agro-industries in the city and come up with a Food Security Masterplan together with the city government.
A special night market and other activities will also be included during the summit.
Meanwhile, Cebu City Agriculture Department (CAD) Head Joey Baclayon said they have not yet received any reports from farmers on damaged crops due to the excessive heat.
Baclayon, however, assured that they will be giving assistance to those who will be affected by the dry season.
There are around 12,000 farmers registered in Cebu City.
Earlier, farmer groups in the city received fertilizers, water hoses, tanks, and seedlings, among others.
Aside from that, the city government is also expecting farmers to embrace modern technology in their farming. — Sanden J. Anadia, GAN (FREEMAN)