In this day and age of technology, economic development, and social consciousness, it is inexcusable to allow our countrymen to grow hungry.

It is our duty to enhance the welfare of our citizens and ensure that every Filipino is given regular, permanent, and unrestricted access to sufficient food and nutrition.

The Adequate Food Framework Bill holds at its center this duty and responsibility, targeting the eradication of hunger across the Philippine islands in the next ten years.

In order to achieve this in a sustainable manner, this legislation will ensure that land devoted to food production shall be increased to 50% of all prime agricultural land in every region.

This measure also increases the coverage of school feeding programs, the public budget allocation for the marginalized and disadvantaged Filipinos who are unable to feed themselves, as well as research on agriculture, irrigation, and rural development.

To exercise due diligence, this measure proposes periodic reviews of compliance of set targets as well as the establishment of the Commission on the Right to Adequate Food, attached to the Commission on Human Rights, to ensure the proactive and efficient implementation of plans to achieve zero-hunger in the Philippines.

The least we can do for our poor countrymen is to actively pursue the eradication of hunger in the Philippines. I urge my colleagues to vote for the passing of this measure.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

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