The city government has created an advisory body that will help ensure the sufficiency of food supply in Puerto Princesa.
The Puerto Princesa City Food Security Council (PPCFSC) was formed on Tuesday following the June 9 signing of the local executive order by mayor Lucilo Bayron.
City agriculture officer Melissa Macasaet said the council is composed of multi-stakeholders from the local agriculture industry.
“Mahalaga siya na nagsama-sama lahat ng stakeholders na itong mga nandito ay representatives din ng kanilang associations, cooperatives, iba-ibang sectors within sa agricultural and fisheries, poultry and livestock,” she said.
Among the PPCFSC tasks is as an over-all coordinating body in the formulation of policy guidelines and master plans and programs, as well as the implementation of projects to ensure the attainment of the city’s vision, mission, goals, and workable food security program objectives.
The city mayor will act as chairman, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as director and the National Food Authority (NFA( as city manager. The chairman has the power to designate other members as long as it is necessary.
There will be representatives coming from different sectors: farmers, fisheries, livestock, business, and consumers.
“Meron na rin kasi tayong mga highly-urbanized city agriculture and fisheries council, seaweed network — I’m sure may group din sa livestock and poultry at sub-groups,” Macasaet said.
“At saka kung ano yong mina-mandate sa Department of Agriculture (DA) na city agriculture and fishery council, working na yon. Yong leaders nandito rin so recognition na rin yon at this time,” she added.
Barangay FSCs will also be formed to ensure the attainment of the council in the barangay level, she said.
The council will facilitate access to the production of marketing resources and opportunities for the food industry sector through the initiation of agreements with government and private funding institutions.
This is to ensure the availability and access to production inputs, post-harvest facilities, the market for the local produce, appropriate technology, and technical assistance to farmers and fisherfolk, she said.
In addition, it will also review the programs of the city government that are related to food security. It will also assist the local price coordinating council and monitoring of prices of major commodities such as rice, corn, fish, and vegetables.
The executive committee of the council will conduct its first meeting on June 25.
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