Go calls for unity toward food security 

AS hunger continues to torment Filipinos, Sen. Bong Go urged government agencies to take action to address the issue affecting millions.According to the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, the hunger rate surged to 22.9 percent in September, a jump from the 17.6 percent recorded in June. Go expressed deep concern over the situation, noting that the Visayas and Mindanao regions saw a near doubling in hunger rates.The senator emphasized the urgent need for action, as the current figures are the highest since the 30.7 percent recorded at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020."It is important that Filipinos have full stomachs, especially the poor," said Go in Filipino. He called for enhanced support for small-scale farmers and fishermen."Let's take care of our small farmers and fishermen. Many of them are 'hand-to-mouth survival.' If they go hungry, Filipinos will go hungry too," Go added.The senator has placed a strong emphasis on food security and the agriculture sector, calling for more opportunities to encourage the next generation to remain engaged in agriculture. His legislative efforts also include proposals for a national Farmers' and Fishers' Pension Fund, improved credit facilities with low-interest loans, and expanded crop insurance coverage to protect against natural calamities.Go was a co-sponsor and co-author of Republic Act (RA) 11953, also known as the New Agrarian Emancipation Act. This legislation condones loans accrued by agrarian reform beneficiaries, encompassing the related interests, penalties, and surcharges.He was one of the authors of RA 11901, or the Agriculture, Fisheries, and Rural Development Financing Enhancement Act of 2022, which enhanced the financial structure supporting agriculture, fisheries and rural development.This law is designed to offer improved access to credit for rural communities, particularly benefiting farmers, fisher folk, and agri-based workers. The goal is to elevate their well-being, competitiveness, and productivity.Additionally, the senator filed Senate Bill (SB) 2117, a measure to ensure thorough crop insurance protection for agrarian reform beneficiaries. To complement the bill, Go introduced SB 2118 to improve insurance coverage and services for farmers and address the agricultural sector's susceptibility to the consequences of natural disasters if enacted into law.Earlier, Go emphasized the importance of improving competitiveness and safeguarding local farmers and industries amid the ratified Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement.Go believes that open competition, as a result of RCEP, should decrease the prices of goods, and ordinary Filipinos, especially the poor and those in the agricultural sector, must benefit from it.In addition, Senator Go highlighted the importance of intensifying the campaign against agricultural smuggling, hoarding, and profiteering, which he said exacerbates the food crisis."We must suppress illegal activities that are contributing to the rise in food prices," he urged. Go also underscored the broader implications of food security, stating that it is a matter of national security. 'When food becomes too expensive or scarce, people may lose trust in the government," he warned.