Consumers are urged to patronize local food and other products whenever they go to the groceries and markets.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said buying all-Filipino products can support local farmers and businesses and preserve jobs, thereby mitigating the harsh socio-economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Dahil essential at basic necessity ang pagkain, malaki pa rin ang potential ng sektor na ito (Because food is a basic and essential necessity, this sector has a big potential). When we support local food producers and manufacturers by patronizing their products, we help keep them profitable so they can retain and even expand their workforce,” he said.
“Let’s go local, let’s go all-Filipino," he added.
According to Nograles, buying goods locally has other benefits such as saving money since these products are usually less expensive.
“Locally-manufactured food products are world-class and, in many cases, are cheaper than their imported counterparts, and the same goes with food staples in the market like rice. Makakatipid ka na, makakatulong ka pa sa kapwa mo Pilipino (You save money and help your fellow Filipinos)," he said.
Nograles, chair of the government's Zero Hunger Task Force, made a pitch for the buy local campaign after recognizing the food industry can help boost the country's economic recovery.
He noted that food accounts for nearly half of the total output of the country’s manufacturing sector, which contributes around 23 to 24 percent of the country's gross domestic product.
"Local businesses will need the support of both the government and our people to overcome the challenges of this pandemic," he said.
"At this point food manufacturing is one of the industries that is poised to contribute positively to economic recovery efforts, as the demand for food will always be there," he added.
The country plunged into recession last month after the local economy shrank 16.5 percent during the second quarter of the year, the height of the strict coronavirus lockdown.
The government has prepared a recovery plan to reverse economic downturn such as the passage of the Bayanihan 2 law and implementation of the infrastructure development program.