In a policy forum titled “Achieving Food Security: Advancing Investments for Agricultural Sustainability,” leaders from PHINMA Corporation, government officials, and industry experts gathered to discuss the role of the private sector in ensuring food security and agricultural sustainability in the Philippines. The event highlighted the urgent need for collaboration between businesses and the government to address challenges like climate change, extreme weather events, disrupted supply chains, and inadequate logistics infrastructure.
Danielle del Rosario, Chief Operating Officer of PHINMA CMG company Union Insulated Panel Corporation (UIPC), emphasized the importance of responsible investment and considering the entire food value chain. “Doing things responsibly is not anymore an option. It’s something we all have to be conscious about… When we look at agriculture or food security as an issue, we look at the whole value chain,” del Rosario said during the event.
The forum also shed light on the significant post-harvest losses in the Philippines, with Department of Agriculture (DA) Spokesperson Asec. Arnel De Mesa reporting double-digit loss rates for crops like rice, onions, mangoes, bananas, and fish. To address this, del Rosario pointed to the potential of private sector investment in food production, warehousing, and cold chain logistics. These investments could significantly reduce wastage, particularly among farmers’ fresh produce, while also prioritizing sustainable solutions.
“For companies like PHINMA, we’re always looking for ways to uplift Filipinos and the way we live our lives by giving the basic things like construction materials. The whole food value chain really necessitates a collaboration of efforts from the private sector and the strategic thought of the government,” explained del Rosario.
The forum underscored the importance of translating policies concerning food security to the local level. Cold Chain Association of the Philippines President Anthony Dizon highlighted the need for proper storage and transportation of perishable goods, even at the wet market level.
“Our dream is to enable farmers and fisherfolks to store their products for long periods, avoiding wastage and increasing the value of their goods. Our hope is for our country to have adequate cold chain facilities for the proper transport and storage of farm produce, meat, and fish, contributing to food security and food safety,” emphasized PHINMA Director and Executive Vice President, Construction Materials Eduardo Sahagun.
As a concrete step towards addressing these challenges, PHINMA CMG company Union Insulated Panel Corporation (UIPC) recently broke ground on a 700-million peso insulated panel manufacturing plant in Pampanga. This new facility, with an annual production capacity of one million square meters of panels, will significantly enhance the country’s cold chain infrastructure and support businesses involved in food storage and transportation.
The PHINMA policy forum serves as a springboard for further collaboration between the private sector and the government to ensure a secure and sustainable food supply for the Philippines. By working together, stakeholders can address the challenges posed by climate change and build a more resilient agricultural sector.