By: Mario Sumaya
Tarlac City – The Provincial Government of Tarlac, in partnership with the Commission on Hu-man Rights (CHR), highlighted the importance of food security during the Food Summit 2026 held at Bulwagang Kanlahi, Diwa ng Tarlac attended by local agricultural workers, fisherfolks and government officials from across the province.
Saying that food security should be recognized and protected as a primordial human right, Hu-man Rights Commissioner and Ret. Judge Maria Amifaith Fider-Reyes emphasized that access to safe, sufficient, and sustainable food should be available to all at all times. This was supported by speakers explaining the vital role of farmers in addressing food insecurity.
Tarlac Governor Christian Tell A. Yap, assured the public that improving food security remains a priority of the provincial government as part of his five-pillar agenda under “Pagkain Muna.” He says he is committed to support the farmers through initiatives that targets their needs, in-cluding the establishment of agricultural laboratories to guide them in modern farming meth-ods.
”I am hoping na maisulong ang mga commitment ng Department of Agriculture na maitayo ang mga laboratoryo na magsisilbing gabay ng ating mga magsasaka sa makabagong approach sa pagtatanim…Kaya patuloy po tayong mag tulungan at mag usap-usap upang tayo ay makagawa ng polisiya para lalong umangat ang antas ng ating agrikultura dito sa ating probinsya,” Yap said.
He cited agricultural practices learned from other countries that thoroughly tested soil for crop suitability compared to the limited soil tests that the country has at the moment. Yap said that currently soil testing here is only good for a couple of minerals while in other countries at least 7 other tests are made on the soil for a more thorough analysis. This scientific approach to farming will better improve food production especially in light of climate change, Yap said.
The idea of a Food Forum in Tarlac was the brainchild of Com. Reyes following a forum of the same kind held in Manila a year earlier. The aim is to assess the knowledge and awareness of those in the agricultural sector about food security as a fundamental human right including their access to government support and intervention in food production.
Following this, a series of focus group discussions were held among farmers groups in the prov-ince.
Results of the FGDs was presented by Provincial Agriculturist Noel Regis. These are as follows:
• 29.9 percent of participants were unaware of the right to food, Zero Hunger Bill, and En-hanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty.
• 41.7 percent were moderately food secure, while 21.6 percent were food insecure.
• 42.4 percent experienced difficulty in accessing resources, and almost all of the participants were affected by climate change.
The results of the survey is expected to guide both farmers and development strategists to ad-dress these challenges.
Meanwhile, CHR Region III Regional Director Atty. Ariel Valones pointed out the importance of food, health, and education to a progressive Philippines and in creating solutions for inflation, climate change, and malnutrition.
Furthermore, Attorney Zara Marie Dy also discussed the connection between food, livelihood and environment in building a sustainable society and addressing climate change. Dy noted that although the Philippines is not a major contributor to climate change, it is one of the most affected countries.
”Hindi tayo ang major contributor ng climate change pero tayo ang sobrang apektado,” she said.
The Food Summit 2026 concluded with calls and stronger cooperation among agencies and communities to protect farmer’s rights and strengthen food security in the province of Tarlac. @