Food Import Dependency Raises Concerns for Local Agriculture

A LAWMAKER on Thursday urged the government to review its import policies, warning that the Philippines’ growing reliance on imported food is weakening local agricultural production. During a House Ways and Means Committee hearing, Party-list Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago said the country’s food import dependency has risen sharply over the years, citing increases in import reliance for rice, corn, pork, chicken, garlic and onions based on government data. She said efforts to curb agricultural smuggling and improve Customs collections should be matched with stronger support for domestic food production, adding that higher import revenues should not come at the expense of local farmers. — Pexcel John Bacon