Addressing Food Insecurity in the Philippines: A Roadmap for Resilience and

Sustainability amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic

ABSTRACT
The article considers the food insecurity crisis in the Philippines in these times of Covid-19
pandemic, with an emphasis on the problems that arose under the regime of the Marcos
administration. It is about uncovering the reasons behind the lack of food security, such as supply
chain disruptions, agricultural blocks, and deepening socio-economic inequalities during
pandemics. This essay demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the issue, integrating
central information from data and empirical evidence. It outlines specific steps and approaches to
combat food shortages, emphasizing the role of crops that are grown by protecting the
environment, social safety net programs and policy reforms. By the end of this paper, the
significance of food security in relation to sustainable development and the welfare and health of
the entire Filipino population will be emphasized.

LITERATURE DESCRIPTION
The paper on Food and Nutrition Security in the Philippines during the COVID-19 Pandemic by
Rivera et al. (2023) utilizes the literature discussing the government’s response to food and
nutrition security during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to illustrate the initial challenges
faced and the strategies employed. It also incorporates the responses' impact on the population's
nutritional status, highlighting the effectiveness or shortcomings of the measures. Additionally, the
literature outlines various community initiatives aimed at enhancing food accessibility and
availability.
The Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (2021) on Food Insecurity among
Families amid the COVID-19 Pandemic, offers a comprehensive analysis of the effects of the
COVID-19 pandemic on food insecurity within families. It provides insights into the factors
exacerbating food insecurity, such as disruptions in employment and food supply chains. The
report presents policy recommendations to address these challenges, emphasizing the need for
targeted interventions to support vulnerable families.
In Tafoya’s (2022) paper on Governmentality in the Time of COVID-19: The Use of Corporate
Packaged Food as an Instrument for Tension Management in Metro Manila, provides a critical
analysis of governmentality during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically examining the utilization
of corporate packaged food to manage tensions in Metro Manila. This literature sheds light on the
broader implications of such practices on public health, social dynamics, and governance.
A study by Ulep (2021) titled The Multifaceted Health Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic
estimates the productivity losses resulting from direct and indirect health impacts of the pandemic.
By validating the findings with health insurance claims, the study underscored a sharp decline in
admissions and consultations, particularly among vulnerable populations. These insights are
crucial for informing policy decisions aimed at mitigating the broader health and economic
consequences of the pandemic.
The World Food Programme’s (2021) Philippines: Annual Country Report 2020 provides a
detailed overview of the organization’s activities and impact in the country throughout the years
of 2018 up until to 2023. This outlines the WFP’s response strategies and initiatives, including
food assistance programs designed to address hunger and malnutrition. Additionally, this report
may discuss collaborative efforts with government agencies, non-profit organizations, and other
partners to enhance food security and nutrition in the Philippines.

DISCOURSE FRAMEWORK
Overview and Significance

The Covid-19 pandemic has contributed to the aggravation of the long-term problem of
food insecurity in the Philippines, which has been threatening the lives and capabilities of the
many Filipinos. The current Marcos administration is under the microscope when it comes to the
issue of Filipinos having sufficient and safe food to eat, as many families have had difficulties
ensuring that there is food on the table due to high food prices, limited food availability, and job
losses caused by the pandemic. Furthermore, disruption of supply chain also adds up to the
complexity of the distribution of food to the needy. This paper is aimed at raising awareness on
the complexity of the problem and the fact that we need prompt solution to end hunger in the
Philippines.

Food Security Dimensions

The core constituents of food security can be assessed by studying the four fundamental
aspects: availability, access, utilization, and stability. Accessibility is the amount of food available
in the market, including its origin, mode of movement and stock levels. Availability occurs through
economic accessibility as well as the physical accessibility of food, including features such as
income, infrastructure, and transportation. Utilization is all about the nutritional behavior of an
individual as well as their ability to utilize food properly. The last one, is the stability means that
the food system should provide safe and smooth access to food in the weeks that are of shock
and upheaval such as crop failure, natural disasters, or economic crises. By examining these four
dimensions, we can establish a more comprehensive food security picture, which will help us
identify and then work on the root causes of food insecurity in different regions of the world.
Availability: The COVID-19 outbreak jeopardized food distribution networks worldwide, as it
triggered scarcity and food prices hike. Logistical problems, lack of labor and trade barriers have
been found to be the causes of the decline in agriculture distribution, production and imports.
Based on the findings of a report from the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, this
combination of these factors has added to the current food insecurity situation in the country
(Reyes et al., 2021).

Access: The common trend developed against the background of the pandemic is disastrous for
the global economy and unfortunately it resulted in a great deal of people lose their jobs and
household incomes decrease. On the other hand, this has risen to a situation of many Filpino
people suffering and cannot afford healthy and nutritious food. The findings presented in the study
by Laborde et al. (2020) provide evidence that many people, especially the poor and the
vulnerable, have faced increased food insecurity due to this pandemic. Through WFP, (WFP,
2021) records an upward trend of the number of people that are unable to meet their basic needs
in terms of food security, which in most cases leads to a dilemma of between settling rent and fun
bills or buying sufficient food for the family. This is an extremely concerning situation to begin with
because a healthy food is a critical factor in a good health status. Kindly note that this is especially
true during the period of a major health crisis.
Utilization: The Amnesty International 2022 report showcases that emergencies such as a
pandemic, which leads to disruptions in health care services, water supply, and sanitation
systems and as a result, there is spread of diseases and malfunction of the systems. This in turn
led to malnutrition through poor and inappropriate nutrition, where many children suffered
malnutrition. This directly contributed to a spike in malnutrition cases overall. Besides, apart from
the World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) too, noticed the
worsening situation and as time has shown, managing such situations need to be dealt with in a
timely and accurate matter to tackle these effectively.

Stability: The Philippines is challenged with several factors which can negatively affect the
country’s food security. Among several environmental problems such as climate change,
disasters and conflicts are still concerning the food security of the country. Moreover, this
pandemic had resulted in some faltering on the already existing problems in food systems, which
stress the need for resilient and sustainable food systems. In a setting of a consistently growing
people and rising demand for food, it is inevitable that the Philippines should come up with
prevention measures to ensure that it has food sources is as secure and sustainable in presence
of all these threats.

Proposed Solutions and Interventions

In order to be able to increase our food security, we have to follow some steps. Initially, emphasis
on domestic food production should be given by employing sustainable agricultural practices,
improvement of irrigation systems and support to small scale farmers. Secondly, purchasing of
resilient and effective supply chain infrastructure which include cold-store facilities, transportation
networks and digital technologies for supply chain management needs to be considered. Next, it
is imperative to introduce social protection programs such as food assistance, money transfers,
and nutrition initiatives that would support the families and communities that are in high risk.
Furthermore, through nutrition education campaigns, dietary diversification, and food utilization
management, malnutrition could be identified and combated. The fourth step is to strengthen
disaster preparedness and disaster early warning systems for the purpose of decreasing the role
of natural disasters and climate change in food insecurity. First of all, building strong public-private
partnerships and global networks will guarantee an integrated and holistic problem-solving
approach to food security.

Implications for Sustainable Development

Have you heard that to reach food security, it is necessary for country development in the
Philippines?By this, we imply that all people must have enough, safe and nutritious food at their
de-manding times. Moreover, Meeting this is crucial not only to feed people but also to bring down
poverty, improve health and grow well-being, as well as to eliminate hunger.
In addition, food security is a component of environmental-sensitive agriculture and proper
consumption and production. This calling is involved in growing food in a sustainable manner so
that the surrounding environments are not polluted and the coming generations have something
to eat.
Eradicating hunger by developing strategies that are responsive to the cause of food insecurity
will help the country accomplish several Sustainable Development Goals which are; SDG 1 (No
Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and well-being). Moreover, it generates
inclusive economic growth and social stability which in turn substantiates environmental
sustainability not only to present humanity but also to generations yet unborn.
By so doing we can all cooperate to achieve a world where every single Filipino is fed with safe,
nutritious, and enough amount of food products without doing so at the expense of the
environment.

QUALITATIVE SELF-ASSESSMENT
The essay provides an in-depth consideration of food security in the Philippines, which it
describes as a multidimensional issue, with the extra complication caused by the Covid-19
pandemic. The opinions are supported by statistical data and empirical evidence from reliable
sources that prove their reliability. Proposed solutions and actions which are realistic and doable
have been developed, addressing diverse aspects, from production, distribution, access, and
utilization. In addition to that, the essay explores the impact of food security on sustainable
development giving the SDGs that have to be achieved as a evidence for such claim.
The topic of the discussion covers the crucial points of food security in Philippines. While this
could be enhanced with the inclusion of more definite data and figures concerning the initiatives
and policies of the current Marcos government, it still infuses the issue with an extra dimension
of controversy and appeal. Moreover, digging deeper into the socio-economic and political
components that contribute to the issue of poverty would offer better comprehension of the
problem. The proposed solutions can also be enriched by incorporating more practical tools for
implementation and involvement of the principal actors to the planned mechanism to enhance
their effectiveness.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH
The present study is a research project in which the effectiveness of the Marcos administration’s
food security policies and programs in the Philippines will be determined to the utmost extent.
The research will be designed to determine the outcomes in terms of these policies on the
vulnerable and their compatibility with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Research will
explore diverse issues of food security and evaluate the effects of established policies and
projects with a purpose of pinpointing areas that need improvement.
The study will assess the efficiency of existing technologies like precision agriculture, vertical
farming, and blockchain technologies in managing the supply chain, thus leading to sustainability
and food security in the Philippines. The research will determine the status of such technologies
utilized within the sector and assess their performance in terms of productivity and sustainability.
The study will also be investigating the difficulties and benefits of the application of such systems.
The key aim of this research work is to evaluate the consequences of climate change on food
security dimension of the Philippines. The research will find out how climate change affects crop
productivity, availability of water and natural disasters and then, propose adaptation strategies
and practices that are climate resilient to curb the damage. In addition to that, the research will
look at the opportunities of applying climate-smart agricultural techniques to make the sector more
resilient against climate change impacts.
Reference List:

Amnesty International. (2022). Exposed, Silenced, attacked: Failures to Protect Health and
Essential
Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic. https://rightsnow.amnestyusa.org/wp-
content/uploads/2020/07/exposed_silenced-attacked_new-080720.pdf.

Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (2021). FOOD INSECURITY AMONG
FAMILIES
AMIS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. https://cpbrd.congress.gov.ph/2012-06-30-13-06-
51/2012-06-30-13-36-50/1325-ff2021-35-food-insecurity-among-families-amid-the-covid-
19-pandemic.

Laborde, D., Martin, W., & Vos, R. (2020). Poverty and food insecurity could grow dramatically
as
COVID-19 spreads. International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
https://www.ifpri.org/blog/poverty-and-food-insecurity-could-grow-dramatically-covid-19-
spreads.

Reyes, C. M., Tabuga, A. D., Asis, R. D., & Datu, M. B. G. (2021). Pandemic Disruptions in the
Philippine
Food Supply Chain and Potential Policy Responses.

Rivera, A. K. B., Bullecer, E. R., Rama, R. L. C. M., & Malimban, R. C. (2023). Food and
nutrition security in
the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Rural Medicine, 18(3), 162–
167. https://doi.org/10.2185/jrm.2022-049.
Tafoya, H. R. (2022). Governmentality in the Time of COVID-19: The Use of Corporate
Packaged Food as
an Instrument for Tension Management in Metro Manila. ResearchGate.

Ulep, V. G. T. (2021). The Multifaceted Health Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Philippine
Institute for
Development Studies.
https://pidswebs.pids.gov.ph/CDN/PUBLICATIONS/pidsdps2123.pdf.

World Food Programme (WFP). (2021). Philippines: Annual Country Report 2020.
https://www.wfp.org/publications/annual-country-reports-philippines.