Marcos discusses food security with rice processing firm

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos on Friday met with executives of rice processing firm Chen Yi Agventures to discuss food security measures as the country grapples with rising commodity prices.

The meeting took place at Malacañang and was attended by Chen Yi Agventures founders Patrick Renucci and Rachel Tan, based on photos released by the Office of the President (OP).

“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. met with executives of Chen Yi Agventures, a business that specializes in sustainable investing and rice processing technology, to explore strategies for achieving national food security,” the OP said in a Facebook post. It added that Marcos, who is also the agriculture secretary, gathers technical experts like Chen Yi Agventures “to support the agriculture industry and its workers.”

The social media post did not provide specifics on food production measures tackled during the meeting.

Last month, Marcos met with the Private Sector Advisory Council also to discuss ways to increase food supply.

The council advised the President on digital farming methods and supply chain improvement strategies.

A review of the National Food Authority’s policies and structure was also suggested to allow the agency to operate as a logistics hub.

On its website, Chen Yi Agventures described its rice processing center as the most technologically advanced in Southeast Asia. It came to Leyte to contribute to the rebuilding of the province, which was devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013.

Leyte was the fifth largest rice-producing area in the Philippines before it was hit by Yolanda and is the second most productive in the Visayas, according to the company.

Last September, Marcos said the goal of his administration is to ensure that no Filipino would go hungry.

He has also expressed optimism that the Philippines could become a leading global and regional agricultural resource hub despite the rising prices of goods and the economic challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kadiwa ng Pasko

Meanwhile, Marcos yesterday thanked the participants of the Kadiwa ng Pasko project and expressed hope that the initiative, which aims to provide access to affordable local goods, will be helpful to the public as the holiday season nears.

Launched in Sta. Cruz, Manila, the Kadiwa ng Pasko features stalls selling agricultural products, clothes, slippers and other local products.

It seeks to help micro, small and medium enterprises sell their products and to provide farmers a direct and effective farm-to-consumer food supply chain.

“I would like to greet the sellers of our Kadiwa ng Pasko trial run. Thank you very much to those who participated in our new program and I hope, once it expands, it would help our countrymen, especially now that the Christmas season is approaching. Your help is very important,” Marcos said in a video message.

In a recent statement, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said it plans to expand Kadiwa outlets so that more Metro Manila residents would have access to quality, safe and affordable agri-fishery products.

The Kadiwa model eliminates many marketing layers, allowing producers to earn bigger profits from directly selling their produce instead of using trader-intermediaries, the agency added.

“Kadiwa, which was enhanced during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, helped stabilize prices and supply of staple foods that were impacted by the enforcement of community lockdowns,” the DA said.