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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos' call to increase ASEAN rice reserve draws praise from Romualdez

Marcos' call to increase ASEAN rice reserve draws praise from Romualdez

Published Sep 8, 2023 12:12 pm

At A Glance

  • House Speaker Martin Romualdez has hailed President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s message at the 26th ASEAN-Plus Three Summit wherein he called for broader cooperation to help feed their citizens during tough times. 

20230504_144300.jpgPresident Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (left), House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez has hailed President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s message at the 26th ASEAN-Plus Three Summit wherein he called for broader cooperation to help feed their citizens during tough times.

“Neighbors helping feed each other is the highest and sincerest form of cooperation," said Romualdez, leader of the 311-member House of Representatives in the Philippines.

The ASEAN-Plus Three Summit was part of the just-concluded 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits in Jakarta Indonesia. Romualdez was part of Marcos' official delegation to the event.

The ASEAN-Plus Three (APT) consists of the 10 ASEAN member-states; and partner countries China, Japan, and South Korea.

In his intervention at this particular meeting, President Marcos proposed to increase their emergency rice supply, or the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR), and add more commodities and food items to the reserve.

“The recent spike in rice prices worldwide underscores the urgent need for stronger regional cooperation to ensure mutual food security and the President’s call for action at the APT Summit is a prudent course of action,” Romualdez said.

Global rice prices rose in July this year to their highest level since September 2011. This, after India, the world’s leading rice exporter, decided to ban all exports of white rice in a bid to tame soaring food prices at home.

Rice is the staple food of many ASEAN countries.

"The House is ready to work on the passage of necessary legislation to operationalize such expanded mechanism for such purpose,” added Romualdez.

“We will likewise ensure the proper utilization of the 2024 budget for the agriculture sector to boost our country’s own food security,” he said.

The House of Representatives, through Committee on Appropriations, is currently scrutinizing the P5.768-trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP) or proposed national budget.

Related Tags

ASEAN Summit Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Martin Romualdez
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