President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (Noel Pabalate/ MANILA BULLETIN)

President Marcos has made it clear in the ongoing ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit in Tokyo, Japan that Filipino families' welfare is his top concern. 

House Speaker Martin Romualdez said Marcos did so by putting a focus on food security at the four-day summit. 

"President Marcos' focus on food security at the ASEAN-Japan Summit sends a clear message: the well-being of Filipino families is a top priority," said Romualdez, leader of the 300-plus strong House of Representatives. 

"His efforts to secure robust partnerships and cutting-edge agricultural technology advancements directly translate to a more stable food supply and stronger economic opportunities for millions of Filipinos across the nation,” added Romualdez, who is part of the President’s official delegation. 

Marcos espoused food security for the Filipino people during his intervention on Sunday during the first session of the Tokyo summit. 

Romualdez, Leyte’s 1st district representative, cited Marcos' emphasis on "enhancing resilient and sustainable agriculture and food systems through new technologies and innovation" during the latter's intervention. 

ASEAN stands for Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The Philippines is a founding member of the regional bloc. 

Romualdez noted the President's acknowledgment of Japan's ongoing support through the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve and the ASEAN-JICA Food Value Chain Development Project, emphasizing the direct benefits these initiatives provide to Filipinos. 

Elaborating on the potential benefits of the President's initiatives, Romualdez said the emergency rice reserve and collaborative food development projects could provide crucial safeguards against food shortages and price fluctuations, protecting Filipino families from hunger and economic hardship. 

Likewise, he said President Marcos' call for embracing new technologies in agriculture signals a commitment to modernizing food production and distribution, boosting efficiency and yielding increased harvests. 

"Investing in sustainable agricultural practices opens doors for job creation and economic growth in rural communities, strengthening livelihoods and improving the quality of life of our citizens,” said the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president. 

The Speaker reiterated House's full backing of President Marcos' ongoing efforts to prioritize food security on the national and regional agendas.