PHNOM PENH, Cambodia—President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has assured leaders of the neighboring countries from Southeast Asia that the Philippines is ready to work with the regional bloc in ensuring food security.
At the 25th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)+3 Summit here, Marcos committed the country’s readiness to work together for the New Work Plan 2023-2027, which will serve as a guide for them in the next five years.
The plan will discuss various areas, such as public health, food security, financial cooperation, and digital economy particularly as the region moves towards the post-pandemic recovery.
Marcos said the region’s “utmost priorities” must be: attaining food self-sufficiency and security by seeking innovative solutions through adoption of new technologies and enhanced connectivity to national, regional and global value supply chains.
“The Philippines reaffirms our commitment to actively engage in the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve or APTERR. APTERR is extremely beneficial to our countries. We are vulnerable to many hazards and natural calamities due to topography and geographic location,” the President said.
To enhance security, Marcos recommended the diversification of APTERR by adding other commodities and staple food to the reserve.
He also pushed for the exploration of smart agriculture and conduct of capacity-building programs for ASEAN members as well as continuing the conduct of forums that serve as platforms to discuss regional concerns on agriculture and food security.