Presidential candidate and Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Wednesday, Feb 16, said he will invest on strengthening academic and research institutions in agriculture in the country to ensure food security.

“I hope that someday, somehow, may awa ang Diyos, kung papalarin tayo (one day, with God's grace, and if I win), we will continue to invest on the number one threat to national security, which is food security. The best way to do it, buhayin muli, palakasin muli ang akademya sa agrikultura (strengthen the agricultural schools),” Domagoso said during his visit to University of the Philippines in Los Baños (UPLB), Laguna.

“Kaya makaka-asa ang ating mga guro na mamumuhunan ang pamahalaan natin, someday, somehow, bigyan ako ng pagkakataon, to help our professors, teachers to the mastery of their skills. Mamumuhunan tayo lalo na dito, magagaling talaga ang mga teacher dito pagdating sa pagkain o agrikultura (The government will invest on the training of professors, teachers. The teachers here are really good when it comes to food or agriculture). So, we will support them and we will invest in our teachers,” he added.

Domagoso said he will ensure that the product of these institutions will benefit the agriculture sector in the country, adding that he will support and protect Filipino farmers and the country’s food producers.

“So, I think it’s high time for us to invest in our teachers, develop them, equip them, our institution, focus on them, aims for result-driven effort, then the farmers para magaan naman yung kanilang kita (to help them with their income),” he said.

Agriculture is among the main pillars under Domagoso’s 10-point Bilis Kilos Economic Agenda.

Domagoso had previously said he is committed to creating a medium and long-term plan to boost the country’s agricultural sector if he wins in the upcoming election.

The Manila mayor also bared that he is eyeing the creation of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to help fishermen in the country to earn more and to put up more cold storage facilities for agricultural towns.

“So, pumanatag kayo. Lagi kong pagtutuunan yung ating (Rest assured that I will focus on this) number one threat to national security, which is food security. And it is high time for the next administration to focus and invest on it,” said Domagoso.

UPLB is known for its pioneering efforts in plant breeding and bio-engineering, particularly in the development of high-yield and pest-resistant crops.

The institution also hosts several local and international research centers, including the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), ASEAN Center for Biodiversity, World Agro-forestry Centre, and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA).

Other institutions specializing in agriculture research in the country are the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and the Philippine Center for Post-harvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech).