The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has welcomed the statement made by Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, Chair of the government's Zero Hunger Task Force and Co-Chair of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), to prioritize food security and food production during this pandemic.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
Even without the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia said that the CHR has supported plans and strategies on ending hunger and achieving food security.
As the government plans to roll out its National Food Policy in October 2020, the CHR is reminding the state of its responsibility to protect and promote the human right to food and all other related human rights.
"In adopting such policy, we urge our line agencies to guarantee that all facets of the implementation are coherent with the principles of economic, social, and cultural rights, and ensure that these actions do not have discriminatory effects, especially on the marginalized and disadvantaged sectors of society," said de Guia.
The CHR's statement could not be more timely as September 29 is observed as International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste. De Guia said that it is equally important for people to be mindful of the way they produce and consume food, because the impacts are far-reaching.
"Globally, food waste is a huge problem costing billions of dollars annually and contributes to the increasing greenhouse gas emissions, which worsens the existing climate crisis," she explained.
"While we recognize the work of the National Task Force on Zero Hunger, the Commission continues to push for the passage of the Zero Hunger Bill for stronger protection of Filipino’s right to adequate food," she added.
The CHR has maintained that it has high hopes for the National Food Policy that it would pave the way for achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 2 of zero hunger in the Philippines by 2030.