Senator Erwin Tulfo emphasized the importance of managing food resources and imposing policies that will boost local production in the Philippines as he attended a forum on food security at the 151st Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.

Speaking before lawmakers from different countries across the globe, Tulfo raised various factors that contribute to the high incidence of hunger in the Philippines, particularly agricultural policies that adversely affect local farmers and local food production.

“We have a problem with food insecurity right now in our country. Last year, about 27 percent of our population experienced hunger involuntarily. The fact is that lower wages, hiked prices, and low income contribute to this high rate, plus trade liberalization,” Tulfo, head of the Philippine delegation at the IPU, said during the forum.

“It’s killing the industry of our farmers. We are more dependent now on rice importation, which is cheaper. The reason is that the production cost for rice farmers in the Philippines is higher because of the fertilizers that we import. That is the problem, and this is causing a lot of pain to our people,” he lamented.

While current agricultural policies in the Philippines are yet to be reformed, Tulfo pointed out that the incidence of hunger could be further reduced by managing food resources properly and effectively.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development mentioned Senate Bill No. 1411, or the proposed Zero Food Waste Act, which he filed in the Upper Chamber last September 24, as one of the immediate measures that could be legislated to address hunger.

“Every day, there’s a lot of food wastage. What I am saying is, if it can still be consumed by those who are hungry, maybe we can send it to food banks or to different organizations to feed them. Food that cannot be consumed anymore can be turned into compost for agricultural use or compost products,” Tulfo said.

Tulfo’s bill seeks to provide clear guidelines on how food-related businesses such as restaurants, cafes, fast-food chains, hotels, supermarkets, and culinary schools can donate surplus wholesome food to food banks operated by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Meanwhile, to ensure stable food production and introduce long-term reform in the agricultural sector, Tulfo, at the start of his term in the Senate, filed a resolution seeking to amend the Rice Tarifficarion Law (RTL), particularly to revive the regulatory function of the National Food Authority.

This resolution was among the legislative measures that enabled the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform to investigate alleged agricultural smuggling, as well as the implementation and effects of the RTL to both farmers and consumers.

The day before, Tulfo met with members of the Ukrainian Parliament to discuss cooperation on defense, trade and agriculture between the European state and the Philippines

During the bilateral meeting with Ukraine Parliament First Deputy Chairman Oleksandr Korniyenko, MP Lesia Vasylenko, and MP Oleksandr Sanchenko, Tulfo echoed the support of the Philippines for Ukraine on the ongoing war with Russia.

He mentioned that the Philippines, like Ukraine, is also facing territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

“You are not alone. We do understand your plight. We do understand your situation at this very point,” Tulfo, vice chairman of Senate foreign relations committee, told members of the Verkhovna Rada— the unicameral parliament of Ukraine.

“The Philippine government is sharing the same opinion and idea to support you for what you're fighting for. We are against foreign aggression in our nation just like you,” he added.

The neophyte lawmaker expressed hope that a successful peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine will be finalized soon, as he noted the effects of the war in the global economy, particularly in the prices of fuel and other agricultural products like wheat.

In response, the Ukrainian MPs thanked Tulfo for conveying the Philippine government’s support for their country and extended an invitation for Philippine lawmakers to visit Kyiv