CDA underscores greater need to focus on food security
The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) on Tuesday, Sept. 26, announced that it will work with small farmers by merging their lands to increase production that will contribute to food security.
In a televised briefing, Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Board Member III and Acting Administrator Assistant Secretary Myrla B. Paradillo shared that 70 percent of their efforts “should go to food security,” as mandated by President Marcos.
“Mayroon din assistance ang national government na ibibigay sa kanila [farmers] (The national government also provides assistance to them),” she added.
Paradillo explained that CDA will also merge and consolidate its small organizations so that the cooperative of farmers will become stronger.
Risk reduction plan
Paradillo mentioned that CDA was allowed to join a conference abroad and understand how Japan stood after the hit of the tsunami and was prepared because of the risk reduction plan.
“Tayo po sa CDA meron isinusulong na bawat kooperatiba ay magkaroon ng frameworks for disaster risk reduction (We at the CDA will pursue a plan for every cooperative group to have frameworks for disaster reduction),” Paradillo said.
Paradillo noted that the CDA is actively participating in talks on climate change. “Whole government approach, sumasali tayo sa iba't ibang mga government offices kung saan tayo ay nakikilahok sa kanilang mga programa (It's a whole government approach, we are participating in various government offices where we are involved in their programs),”she added.
Cooperative Month celebration
Paradillo also shared updates on the preparation and activities for Cooperative Month this October.
This year’s Cooperative Month celebration, Paradillo said, was anchored on the theme, “Cooperatives: Pioneering the Path to Recovery Amidst Modern Challenges of Climate Change and Food Security.”
The said theme underscored the critical role of cooperatives in addressing contemporary global challenges and how they serve as “catalysts” for sustainable agriculture and resilience.
One of the highlights during the celebration is a job fair in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment that will take place on Oct. 16 in Calabarzon (Regions 4A), Central Luzon (Region 3), and the National Capital Region (NCR). (Erika Escover)