As hunger levels rise in the Philippines, Senator Bong Go has called on government agencies to take decisive action to combat the issue affecting millions.
The latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey revealed that the hunger rate surged to 22.9% in September, a significant increase from 17.6% in June, with the Visayas and Mindanao regions experiencing nearly double the hunger rates.
Go stressed the importance of food security, advocating for enhanced support for small-scale farmers and fishermen, who are crucial to ensuring that all Filipinos have enough to eat.
He proposed various legislative measures, including a national Farmers’ and Fishers’ Pension Fund and improved credit facilities, to strengthen the agriculture sector and protect it against natural disasters.
Additionally, Go emphasized the need to combat agricultural smuggling and hoarding, warning that the food crisis poses serious implications for national security and public trust in the government.
Source: PhilNews24 | October 24, 2024
