Groups call for PH food security

Farmer and non-government organizations made another call for government to prioritize the country’s food self-reliance amid Vietnam’s decision to halt rice exports and the enhanced community quarantine due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

“This is what the group has been fearing all along. We become very vulnerable as global shocks like today’s global pandemic and the 2008 rice crisis can raise international rice prices to the roof as supply becomes tight, and/or countries hold on to their food supply for their own needs. Food security will be at risk and this could further magnify the impacts of Covid-19” said Hazel Tanchuling, executive director of Rice Watch Action Network Inc.