Manila mayor and presidential aspirant Isko Moreno committed to provide funding for agricultural research institutions to safeguard the country’s food security.
“Kung papalarin tayo, we will continue to invest to (sic) the number one threat to national security, which is food security. The best way to do it, buhayin muli, palakasin muli ang akademya sa agrikultura,” Moreno said in a statement.
Under his leadership, he said his administration will also invest in professors and teachers in this field at the University of the Philippines in Los Baños (UPLB).
UPLB has made efforts in plant breeding and bioengineering as part of their major contributions in the regional agriculture industry.
The university also hosts various local and international research centers: the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), ASEAN Center for Biodiversity, World Agroforestry Center, and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA).
Moreno also promised that local producers will be protected and prioritized over agricultural imports.
“Our market is flooded with imported products. Paano na yung mga magsasaka? O baka lang namamali tayo ng direksyon na puhunanan yung ating mga guro sa agrikultura, institusyon sa agrikultura at higit sa lahat, yung mga magsasaka,” he said.