Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) president and Quirino Governor Dax Cua urged his fellow local leaders to purchase food to be stockpiled for disasters from farmers and fisherfolk in their localities.
“We don’t always have to rely on instant noodles and canned goods for our food relief packs during disasters. One very good idea that we can do is to purchase our food requirements from our local producers,” Cua said.
This way, spoilage of crops and other produce could also be avoided, thus also helping farmers and fisherfolk avoid or minimize agricultural losses, the governor added.
Cua also called on LGUs to continue improving the resilience of livelihood in their areas, with focus on anticipatory planning for disasters.
As for funding, Cua said that such endeavors could be sourced from the local disaster risk reduction and management fund (LDRRMF).
“The LDRRMF may be used for stockpiling of basic emergency supplies and provision of food subsistence to disaster victims, among others, so such a practice is definitely allowed and in fact should be encouraged to ensure that the resources we utilize benefit a greater set of beneficiaries,” Cua said.
Cua also called on LGUs to continue improving the resilience of livelihood in their areas, with focus on anticipatory planning for disasters and rollout of risk transfer instruments like insurance products catering to farmers and fisherfolk.
“Let us mainstream the building of resilient infrastructure especially with regard to our food industries, for example disaster-resilient crops and fishpens, not only to lessen the scale of agricultural loss but also to ensure our people’s food security,” he also said.
“We have to accept that stronger typhoons and droughts are here to stay. And upon accepting, we must act strategically and adapt so that not every natural phenomenon becomes a disaster,” Cua added.
