Campaigning yesterday in Cabanatuan, NP-NPC-LDP vice presidential bet Loren Legarda called for extensive consultation in the agriculture, climate change and health committees of the Senate, all of which she chairs, in order to address food security and health issues.
Legarda seeks to put an end to the heavy importation of rice and vegetables, which kills the local farming industry and causes local food prices to spike.
"Massive importation of rice and vegetables not only kills the local farming industry but also leads to higher prices of food, which in turn threatens the nation's health by making healthy, adequate food more inaccessible. Food security and health issues are closely intertwined. I am trying to address both of these in the committees that I chair in the Senate," she said.
Further, Legarda said climate change must be considered in setting government's food and health policy.
"Climate change is a challenge to both the agriculture and health sectors of the country. With resources becoming more and scarcer, especially water, agricultural production has greatly diminished. Without adequate food, we jeopardize our nation's health," said Legarda.
She also reiterated her call for government to release the El Nino funds to rescue the country's agriculture and fisheries sectors.
“I appeal to all who process papers in agriculture and fishery bureaucracy for the release of funds for El Nino-related purposes in agriculture and fisheries. Please expedite paper work. Namamatay na ang mga tanim at mga hayop.,“ she said.
“It is critical now that we give extension support to our farmers, and provide them technical and financial assistance. For instance, we should start teaching them to plant drought-resistant crops,” said Legarda.
The NDCC has reported that 300,000 hectares of agricultural land and P5.11 billion worth of crops have been damaged by El Nino.
Meanwhile, Loren said that ‘To ignore climate change is to neglect the poor’
Loren Legarda today challenged all candidates running for national positions to tackle climate change, “an issue that is no longer the abstract, unintelligible concept that it was before. Climate change is real. You can see it in the daily struggles of the poor today.”
Legarda, the only candidate carrying environmental issues in her national campaign, cited the plight of farmers against El Nino, hunger, poverty, and the spread of disease as "everyday effects of climate change".
“Ang mga pinaka-apektado ng climate change ay ang mga mahihirap. Sino ba ang nawawalan ng ani tuwing tagtuyot? Sino ang nasasalanta ng mas madalas at mas makapaminsalang bagyo? Sino ang tinatamaan ng malaria, dengue at iba pang mga sakit na dulot ng climate change?” she said.
“The time of climate change cynics is over. We have no time for apathy and inaction. Climate change is a real issue, felt by the poorest, most vulnerable of our people," she said.
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