April 17, 2020
Recommendations of Laban Konsyumer Inc. to ensure food security in the event of extended lockdown:
1. Duty and tax free importation of key raw
materials like wheat, flour, milk, manufactured and processed goods;
2. Exemption from all rules to guarantee 24 hours movement of food in all medium of transportation. No curfew;
3. Enforce sustainable consumption and consider expanded limitations on basic goods and necessities. Alert on rationing;
4. Revive urban farming and backyard livelihood. DIY planting on available vacant lots of homeowners associations;
5. Promote the use of online ordering systems where the public can buy food products. Ex. San Miguel Corp.s’ order. sanmiguelfoods. com;
6. DA loan assistance for MSMES engaged in agriculture and fisheries production;
7. DA and DTI rice programs to boost buffer stocks;
8. Free transportation and lodging for workers of food manufacturing companies to maximize production; and
9. Repeal of Rice Tariffication Law to normalize farmgate prices of palay as support to local farmers. (Note: This option was reportedly being studied by the House as early as Nov 2019)
Atty Vic Dimagiba
President
Laban Konsyumer Inc.