Infrastructure, a component of the Philippine food system -NEDA

National Economic and Development Authority secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan underscored infrastructure as an integral part of the Philippine food system, in line with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.

“Food security is characterized not just by its availability but by the equally important dimensions of accessibility, affordability, and impact on the health and well-being of our citizenry. When we consider these other aspects, our food system thus comprises not just our farming sector, but also the supporting infrastructure, policies, and institutions that affect domestic production, and which ultimately shape consumer choice, and, consequently, health programs,” said Balisacan as he delivered the NEDA’s affirmative response to the resolution of the National Academy for Science and Technology (NAST) on the second day of the 46th Annual Scientific Meeting at The Manila Hotel on 11 July 2024.

Relatively, the NEDA chief reported that the government moves to enhance the country’s infrastructure towards boosting the Philippine food system.

“In support of our food system, the government is accelerating its infrastructure drive to upgrade our physical and digital connectivity networks, logistics, and storage facilities,” stated Balisacan, who is also an academician in the NAST.

“We [people in the government] are aware that modernizing our infrastructure can significantly reduce postharvest losses while reducing our carbon footprint, encourage product diversification into higher-value-added crops and alternative food staples as mentioned in the resolutions, and ensure that what we produce reaches our consumers despite expected occurrence of calamities, emergencies, and natural disasters,” he explained.

The NEDA secretary laid down several concrete strategies for the government in promoting food security in the country, one of which is the formulation of policies and frameworks where the government and private sector can efficiently design and execute infrastructure initiatives. Such undertakings, in particular, allow both players the optimal management and utilization of land and water resources all towards attaining sustainable food production.

Balisacan recognized the necessity of transforming the present Philippine food system to address rising food demand, ballooning prices, and hurdles to poverty reduction.

The Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 explains that food systems comprise plants, animals, and microbes found to be optimal for the nutrition and health of consumers. These systems are formed by geography, ecology, and culture.