With a hopeful vision of promoting global awareness and call to action to “Leave No One Behind” in giving top priority to food security in building a sustainable future -- the NNC Calabarzon joins Region IV-A leaders, communities, families and stakeholders, in the celebration of the World Food Day.
The celebration brings such a timely challenge to rise above adversities for all the families of Region IV-A who are at high risk of malnutrition because of food insecurity, recent recession and the multiple hurdles posed by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Income of many families may fall below the food threshold, making them much more vulnerable to health and nutrition problems. Still, we can highlight the possibilities for access and availability of nutritious food.
Even recent reports of the 2021 Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES) of the Philippine Statistics Authority could only serve as warnings but not distress. The reports noted that two in every 100 Filipino residents in Calabarzon Region are food poor. Moreover, about 4 out of 100 Filipino families were not able to meet their basic food needs in 2021.
With great optimism, we at Calabarzon can create a cooperative spirit of helping each other thrive. We can make our agri-food system sustainable.
Through concerted efforts of all residents and municipalities, we can support local farmers or participate in backyard food gardening to contribute to green growth.
Another option can be engaging in social campaigns about food and nutrition security to influence others. The simple actions we take every day can collectively affect our future food security.
Individually, we can be advocates of sustainability by lessening food loss and waste; plan meals ahead to avoid excess consumption or leaving more plate waste; and increase efforts in developing better practices on food harvesting, storing, processing, and distribution to maximize the use of the food we produce.
In effect, our efforts can even be profitable and beneficial for all. With improved food supply, more decent jobs, and increased social support to most vulnerable groups, we can create a domino effect in social, environmental, and economic progress worldwide through a sustainable food system.
In recall, the World Food Day celebrated last October 16 has one goal at heart across 150 nations worldwide: better production, better nutrition, better environment, and a better life. It means a sustainable agri-food system to ensure food security and nutrition to eradicate any form of hunger and malnutrition for all.
Written by: Karen Camongol, RND
Sources:
https://www.fao.org/world-food-day/about/en
https://www.genevaenvironmentnetwork.org/resources/updates/world-food-day-2021/
Philippine Statistics Authority. (10 October 2022). Highlights of the 2021 Full Year Official Poverty Statistics of CALABARZON Press Release. Reference No. 2022-0400-PR20
