Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) joined in the celebration of World Food Day 2022 with the theme "Leave NO ONE Behind. Better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life.” highlighting the need for food security and resilience in the country, held at the Department of Agriculture (DA) Grounds, Diliman, Quezon City on October 17, 2022.
As one of 150 countries participating in the WFD 2022, the PFDA together with various DA-attached agencies renews the longstanding commitment of the DA family to take necessary actions and ensure that everyone, everywhere, has access to safe and nutritious food. This annual commemoration focuses on millions of people worldwide who cannot afford and access healthy and nutritious food sources.
In addition, this year’s celebration marks multiple global challenges, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, rising prices, and international tensions which altogether affect food security not only in the Philippines but all around the world.
During her keynote speech, Senator Cynthia A. Villar, Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform, welcomed everyone who attended today’s important activity aimed at raising awareness on food security concerns and promoting collective action towards ensuring healthy diets for all. Senator Villar is very hopeful that this year’s theme, Leave NO ONE Behind, can be achieved in the Philippines.
The senator said that we need to double our efforts to ensure that every Filipino at all times shall have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their food preferences and dietary needs for an active and healthy life.
“Mawala na ang lahat huwag lang ang pagkain kaya naman this is a very important occasion to all of us…This theme can be associated with our mission to ensure food security in our country and at the same time improve the lives of small farmers and fisherfolks and provide nutritious food that is affordable to every Filipino. Problema natin nga ang pagmamahal ng pagkain kaya naman napakaimportante na pagbutihin natin ang tulong sa ating mga farmers and fisherfolks para ma-provide nila sa atin sa murang halaga ang ating pagkain,”
Mr. Dipayan Bhattacharyya, World Food Programme (WFP) Acting Country Director, expressed his appreciation to the DA for holding this very important event. Mr. Bhattacharyya said that it was his sincere pleasure and honor to celebrate World Food Day with the drivers of creating a better and more sustainable future for the Filipino people. He said that the WFP believes that food is the pathway to peace. During his speech, he shared some of the ways forward of the WFP in combatting hunger and food insecurity in the Philippines and all around the world.
“There cannot be a better theme apart from this year’s theme… We are partnering strongly with the Philippine government and other partners to achieve better food security through improving food production, introducing new post-harvest practices, strengthening the food value chain, market inclusion of smallholder farmers, innovative agriculture practices, promoting climate-sensitive and climate-smart agriculture, and promoting and protecting biodiversity,” Mr. Bhattacharyya said.
“Going forward, we would really like to work closely with the Philippine government and partners to identify and co-develop the most appropriate policies and programs to implement and prepare for climate risks, respond to climate-related shocks, and adapt to longer-term climate change-related initiatives. We are looking forward to our continued partnership with the Philippine government to support the vulnerable,” Mr. Bhattacharyya added.
To end this year’s WFD culminating activity program, DA Assistant Secretary for Operations Engr. Arnel V. de Mesa led the lighting of candles and declaration of the 2022 World Food Day Pledge.
(Mark Angelo N. Perez with photos from Paul Vincent R. del Rosario – Public Information Division)