THE Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Philippine Chamber of Food Manufacturers Inc. (PCFMI) discussed possible areas for collaboration in a meeting at the DA Central Office, Quezon City, on July 23.
Guided by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directives to strengthen public-private partnerships to achieve nationwide food accessibility, affordability and security during his third State of the Nation Address last July 22, DA Assistant Secretary for Consumer and Legislative Affairs Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra welcomed the PCMFI’s openness for collaborating with the Agriculture Department.
“Definitely, we look forward to partnerships with private corporations, especially with the expansion of our Kadiwa Program, as well as the expansion also of our institutional partners for farmer- and fisherfolk-cooperatives that we are supporting,” Velicaria-Guevarra said.
Among the potential areas for cooperation that were initially determined during the meeting were the formation of market linkages between local food producers and PCFMI’s member-companies, the conduct of training sessions for agri-youths and cooperatives through the DA’s Young Farmers Challenge Program and the promotion of a healthy diet.
The two institutions also explored the potential expansion of the DA’s Kadiwa Program by tapping PCFMI member-companies as suppliers of affordable, safe and nutritious produce, thus allowing for a wider variety of products to be sold at the Kadiwa centers nationwide. Should this materialize, the partnership will be crucial in attaining the department’s goal of establishing 1,500 Kadiwa centers nationwide by 2028.
“We really would like to help these public-private partnerships, especially since agriculture is an input to our processes,” PCMFI Chairman and President Marites Director said.
Founded on Dec. 5, 1958, the PCFMI envisions to be the lead and voice of the food industry and advocates for safe, nutritious and sustainable supply of food that are compliant to local, national, and international laws and regulations.
To date, it is composed of 102 member-companies that are engaged in the local manufacture and distribution of essential commodities of various food categories.
With its strategic focus being on innovation, food safety and nutrition, robust and scientifically-based regulations, and sustainability and food security, the PCFMI has been partnering up with different stakeholders, including the government sector, for a more sustainable and resilient food industry.
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