President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Wednesday approved the recommendation to strengthen the country's domestic economy, stabilize food prices, provide social protection, and explore diplomatic channels amid the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
In a statement, acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said President Rodrigo Duterte convened Cabinet secretaries, officials of law enforcement agencies, and business executives to discuss possible scenarios should the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict continue and escalate.
As a result, Duterte backed the proposal of the Department of Agriculture (DA)to boost local food production.
"Kasama na rito ang pagpapataas ng produksyon ng pagkain sa pamamagitan ng pagpapatupad ng Plant, Plant, Plant Part Two, pagpapataas ng rice buffer stock na hindi bababa sa tatlumpung araw, pamamahagi ng tulong pinansyal sa ating mga nagsasaka ng palay, at pagtugon sa tumataas na presyo ng abono o pataba, tulad ng pagbibigay ng fertilizer subsidy at market access through bilateral discussions sa fertilizer-producing countries," Nograles said.
[This includes the increase in the production of food through the implementation of Plant, Plant, Plant Part Two, ramping of rice buffer stock for at least 30 days, distribution of financial assistance to palay farmers, and addressing the increasing price of fertilizer such as the provision of fertilizer subsidy and market access through bilateral discussions with fertilizer-producing countries.]
Likewise, the President approved the distribution of fuel discount vouchers to farmers and fisherfolks amid the soaring fuel costs.
Also included in the approval is the improvement of production and intensifying research to alleviate the price of feeds, giving logistical support like food mobilization from high-producing regions to cities through the Kadiwa mobile vans and trucks, and offering transportation costs subsidies for basic commodities.
"Kung kinakailangan, nakahanda ang pamahalaan na isakatuparan ang implementasyon ng Price Control Law," Nograles said.
"We shall likewise continue talks with our partners and heighten negotiations with non-traditional partners to address threats to agricultural exports while improving our digital agricultural infrastructure and systems," he added.
The Philippines also joined the appeals for an "early and peaceful" resolution between Russia and Ukraine, calling on the parties involved to forge a peace accord.
"The conflict in Ukraine has economic, trade, and human resource implications for our country and for our people. As we monitor the current situation, every Filipino has the right to know what the government is doing to prepare for any eventuality," the statement read.
"We appeal for an immediate end to the unnecessary loss of life, and call on the states involved to forge an accord that can help prevent a conflagration that could engulf a world still struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic," it added.
Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine on February 24, gathering hundreds of thousands of troops along its border.
