With the Philippines continuing to grapple with hunger, a lawmaker on Wednesday called on Congress to pass a bill creating a national legal framework to ensure that Filipinos have easy access to adequate food.

House Bill No. 3125 or the Right to Adequate Food bill, which was filed by Abra Rep. Joseph Sto. Niño Bernos on Aug. 5, seeks to target zero hunger incidence in 10 years.

Within 10 years from the law’s effectivity, land devoted to food production is increased to 50 percent of all prime agricultural land in every region.

The bill also mandates the considerable and steady increase in indicators such as percentage development of ancestral lands; percentage of rural population with access to productive means; share of budget spent on programs aimed at creating access to productive resources; percentage of budget spent on agri-research, agri-extension, irrigation, training, technology, credits and rural development; and percentage of rural female-headed households, or rural women, with legal title to agricultural lands.

Also included are the percentage of public budget allocation for social transfer programs to those unable to feed themselves; coverage of marginalized and disadvantaged population taking part in social transfer programs; percentage of marginalized and disadvantaged population covered by a public nutrition supplement program; percentage of population aware of available food and nutrition programs; and coverage of school feeding programs.

A Commission on the Right to Adequate Food would be formed as the primary policy-making and coordinating body to guarantee full exercise of the right to adequate food.

The Commission shall create a national food policy consistent with the policy formulated by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Zero Hunger, as well as implement programs of action to eradicate hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.

It will exercise monitoring and oversight functions; apply human rights principles and conduct objective impact assessment on all government policies, programs and projects prior to adoption and implementation.

It shall also work in close cooperation and coordination with relevant government agencies, and in consultations with civil society organizations and the private sector, and use all available resources for the efficient and effective implementation of the measure.

“The Right to Adequate Food bill is a necessary measure to help address our deep-rooted issues on food and hunger. Close to 38 million Filipinos are facing food insecurity, and that number will only increase if our priorities are misplaced,” Bernos said in a statement.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization’s State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, 37.8 million Filipinos –equivalent to 32.9 percent of the population– experienced moderate or severe food insecurity during the 2022 to 2024 period.

He expressed hope that with Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III promoting a pro-agriculture agenda, the House of Representatives would prioritize passing laws that would improve agriculture and food security.

“With a Speaker who is intent on improving agriculture, I believe now is the time for us to rally to ensure that less and less of our fellow Filipinos go hungry,” Bernos said. (PNA)