DOE joins efforts to temper rise in food prices

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) has partnered with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) to mitigate the rising prices of agricultural commodities in Metro Manila and Luzon.

The three agencies signed a tripartite memorandum of agreement (MOA) to further strengthen the “Palamigan ng Bayan.”

The agreement provides accessible cold storage facilities to farmers and fisherfolks nationwide so that farm-fresh produce like vegetables, meat and poultry, as well as fish and seafood are safely and properly stored.

DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, who started the “Palamigan ng Bayan” program in 2018, hopes the project will reach more farmers and fisherfolk to help provide them a steady livelihood during this challenging period.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the DOTr was still able to deploy 11 reefer container vans last year in various municipalities and cities nationwide, which helped boost the government’s response against the crippling economic impact of the global health crisis.

“The DOE is privileged to partner with the DOTr and DA to help our farmers, fisherfolk and their families in this very difficult period in our country. We will do our best to help them in any way we can, and hopefully, the Palamigan ng Bayan will further make a difference,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.

The energy chief said   the “Palamigan ng Bayan” further illustrates the Water-Energy-Food nexus and how this interrelationship is crucial to the country’s recovery and long-term sustainable development.

Cusi expressed hope that this project would bring about better facilities and maximize the use of technology and innovation to better prepare the country’s agricultural sector to the new normal as the demand for food and prime commodities grows.

Under the MOA, the DOE, DOTr, and DA will work closely to strengthen and/or expand the implementation of the existing “Palamigan ng Bayan” program for the agri-fishery sector in all feasible sites nationwide.

The three agencies will also promote the use of refrigerated container vans as cold storage to store fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and meat products and other perishable goods and supplies to address concerns on food quality and productivity.

Moreover, the MOA also covers the formulation of policies and establishment of standard operating procedures to have a coherent coordination mechanism among all parties.

The agencies will also ensure stability of price and steady and affordable supply of agri-fishery products in support of the food resiliency program of the DA, as well as develop new and emerging technologies for the agri-fishery sector in collaboration with research and development institutions (RDIs), state colleges and universities and the private sector.

Lastly, they will provide technical and other support services to local farmers and fisherfolks and encourage the continuing technology innovation through public private partnerships, joint venture arrangements, technology business incubation, contract research, management contract and other relevant and related legal instruments.