This refers to the news item titled “RP 5th in world hunger survey” (11/05/08) by Lawrence de Guzman. This report of Gallup International only shows the dire situation the nation is in. An increasing number of Filipinos are having difficulty finding food for even just one decent meal a day. In my experience as a community development worker, I’ve seen urban (even rural) poor people eating just one meal a day, which they call “altanghap,” short for “almusal, tanghalian, hapunan” [breakfast, lunch, dinner]. It is shocking that an agricultural country like the Philippines should come to this— among the Top 5 hungriest countries in the world.

From 2001 to 2008, the prices of basic commodities increased by 32 percent. The poorest families in the country now constitute almost 80 percent of the total population and 70 million Filipinos are believed to be living below poverty line with a daily income of about P110. An estimated 46 million Filipinos cannot meet their dietary needs every day. These people go hungry every day and do not even have clean water. (Ibon Foundation Research)

During the first quarter of this year, there was a steep increase in rice prices—as high as P45 per kilo in Metro Manila as well as in the other regions, and P50-65 per kilo in the Subanen communities in Mindanao. (Reports from the regions, August 2008)

Meanwhile, the majority of Filipinos are chronically deprived—going through a lifetime of hunger and destitution. For them, the window of opportunity to live a decent life is getting smaller and smaller: they are losing jobs and their means of livelihood, and their incomes are falling. Farmers, workers, indigenous communities and especially women and children are driven into deeper misery. It is urgent for the people to achieve socioeconomic development, social equity and justice.

In order to sustain and develop the national economy, we need to support and build the economy in the regions. Genuine land reform and promotion of sustainable agriculture will surely help the farmers improve their living conditions. The government should muster the political will to fully support the agriculture sector.

On the other hand, the Philippine Network of Food Security Programmes Inc. (PNFSP Inc.), a network of 37 members, will continuously ensure and deliver its alternative programs and services to address food insecurity in the country. We will ensure food security at the community level through sustainable agriculture, organic farming and appropriate technology. Thus, genuine land reform is the ultimate answer to the problem of food insecurity in the Philippines.

MARIA ISABEL LANADA, executive director, Philippine Network of Food Security Programmes, pnfsp_inc@yahoo.com