AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert T. Lee (Facebook)

A pro-farmer congressman has underscored the need to boost local food supply in the bid to achieve the country’s nutrition goals outlined in the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2023-2028. 

AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert “Manoy” T. Lee did so while he was the guest speaker of the 3rd Bicolano Young Leaders Congress. 

The event was held Saturday, July 6 in Virac, Catanduanes, in his native region of Bicol. 

“This 50th Nutrition Month, may we be reminded that the latest PPAN underscores food security as a tool to combat nutritional problems among Filipinos. This is connected to the Philippine Development Plan’s strategy to boost productivity and resiliency of the local agriculture and fisheries sector to ensure food security and proper nutrition," he said in his speech. 

“Full support and protection of our farmers and fisherfolk, our food security soldiers, is a must to attain this goal,” he added. 

Developed by the National Nutrition Council (NNC), PPAN serves as the framework to guide government, non-government organizations, academe, and the private sector in a coordinated effort to reduce all forms of malnutrition. 

The latest action plan includes a strong emphasis on food security and recognition of the importance of improving nutrition behaviors. 

With this, Lee reiterated his call, as principal author, for the passage of House Bill (HB) No. 3957 or the “Kadiwa Agri-Food Terminal Act”, which mandates the establishment of more Kadiwa centers nationwide as a way to make cheap food products accessible to more consumers. 

"If successfully rolled out in every city and municipality, these agri-food terminals will serve as a place where local farmers and fisherfolk can sell their produced goods directly to consumers and the general market,” Lee had previously said. 

A staunch health advocate, Lee also principally authored HB No. 2421 or the “Nutritional Information Disclosure Act” which would mandate food service establishments to clearly put on their menus the nutritional information including but not limited to: 

•Total number of calories

•Total number of grams of carbohydrates

•Total number of grams of saturated fat

•Total number of grams of protein

•Total number of milligrams of sodium 

This measure would enable consumers to be informed so they can make healthier food choices which can promote health awareness and proper dieting, and assist consumers who are monitoring their diets or dealing with chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. 

“Filipinos deserve accessible nutrition to help them live a healthier and better life, so we should demand better to implement mechanisms to achieve this," he said.