Ambassador says Philippines has growing food security needs

MANILA,Philippines – The Philippines' demand for food is more intense as it is more vulnerable to climate change, the Philippine Ambassador to the United States said in a forum in Des Moines, Iowa.

According to a statement by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA),  Ambassador Jose Cuisia Jr., in behalf of President Benigno Aquino III, spoke in front of 200 selected students from across the United States and other countries to share the food security issues in the Philippines as imposed by the increasing climate change threats.

The Philippines’ growing need for food security was highlighted at the recently concluded Global Youth Institute hosted by the World Food Prize Foundation.

in his speech, Cuisia compared the population of Philippines with that of United States, saying that although the US' population is three times bigger than the Philippines', population density here is higher, making the demand for food more intense.

“You can therefore imagine the challenge faced by the Philippines in feeding more people given limited amount of land, while our island nation faces threats from more intense tropical cyclones, drastic changes in rainfall patterns, sea level rise and increasing temperatures,” he said.

“It is in this vein that our country strives to be climate-resilient and climate-smart in order to be food-secure and to develop sustainably,” Cuisia added.

The ambassador also underscored the importance of inclusive economic growth in working toward and sustaining food security, and encouraged participants to do their part in ensuring people all over the world have access to food.

The event aims to emphasize the importance of a nutritious and sustainable food supply for everyone through increasing awareness among the youth. It is conducted every year in mid-October with around 200 high school students selected to participate in the Global Youth Institute.

Apart from listening, discussing and meeting with global leaders, the three-day event also includes connecting with different students from around the world, touring around leading industrial and research facilities and taking part in symposium discussions with experts in science and industry.  – Alixandra Caole Vila