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Advocates Philippines
Senator Cynthia Villar Pushes For Supporting PH Food And Beverage Industry
Photo credit: Senate PH
Sen. Cynthia Villar delivered a passionate call for collaboration and support to bolster the growth of the Philippines' Food and Beverage Industry. Speaking at the 17th Manila Food and Beverage Expo 2023 held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, she emphasized the need to rally behind the agricultural sector to further enhance the promotion of local produce.
Highlighting the industry's diversified nature, Sen. Villar underscored the wide range of manufacturing practices it encompasses. From small-scale, traditional, family-run operations that heavily rely on labor-intensive processes to large-scale, capital-intensive enterprises utilizing advanced mechanized industrial techniques, the sector represents a crucial component of the country's economic fabric.
Sen. Villar, who also chairs the Senate agriculture and food committee, pointed out that numerous food industries depend on local agriculture, produce, or fishing, while others rely on imports to meet their production needs. She emphasized that the food system operates as a complex network interconnecting farmers with various industries, extending its reach to manufacturers of farm equipment and chemicals, as well as firms providing logistics and financial services to agribusinesses.
"The food system's extensive network encompasses not only farmers themselves but also the food marketing industries responsible for bridging the gap between farms and consumers," added Sen. Villar.
The senator further highlighted the importance of supporting the agricultural sector, especially in times of crisis, as the Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated. Local farmers play a vital role in ensuring food security, and their contributions have been instrumental in maintaining stability throughout challenging periods.
Providing insight into the industry's progress, Sen. Villar shared that since the reopening of the economy in 2022, the Food and Beverage industry has shown steady signs of recovery. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported a ten-year-high in business registrations in 2022, with restaurants and mobile food services ranking as the second-highest category of new business registrations last year.
Acknowledging the industry's significance as one of the pillars of the economy, Sen. Villar expressed gratitude for the sectors that have rallied to support business owners engaged in food service. She assured the public that the government has consistently backed the food and beverage industry, as well as the agricultural sector as a whole.
However, Sen. Villar acknowledged the persistent challenges faced by farmers, emphasizing their position as the poorest segment of society. Determined to address these disparities, she shared her commitment to uplift the lives of farmers, meet the needs of the agricultural sector, and promote food security through legislative initiatives.
As Sen. Cynthia Villar concludes her speech at the Manila Food and Beverage Expo 2023, her impassioned plea for unity and support serves as a rallying call to empower the Food and Beverage Industry and ensure the well-being of the agricultural sector for a prosperous future.
Highlighting the industry's diversified nature, Sen. Villar underscored the wide range of manufacturing practices it encompasses. From small-scale, traditional, family-run operations that heavily rely on labor-intensive processes to large-scale, capital-intensive enterprises utilizing advanced mechanized industrial techniques, the sector represents a crucial component of the country's economic fabric.
Sen. Villar, who also chairs the Senate agriculture and food committee, pointed out that numerous food industries depend on local agriculture, produce, or fishing, while others rely on imports to meet their production needs. She emphasized that the food system operates as a complex network interconnecting farmers with various industries, extending its reach to manufacturers of farm equipment and chemicals, as well as firms providing logistics and financial services to agribusinesses.
"The food system's extensive network encompasses not only farmers themselves but also the food marketing industries responsible for bridging the gap between farms and consumers," added Sen. Villar.
The senator further highlighted the importance of supporting the agricultural sector, especially in times of crisis, as the Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated. Local farmers play a vital role in ensuring food security, and their contributions have been instrumental in maintaining stability throughout challenging periods.
Providing insight into the industry's progress, Sen. Villar shared that since the reopening of the economy in 2022, the Food and Beverage industry has shown steady signs of recovery. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported a ten-year-high in business registrations in 2022, with restaurants and mobile food services ranking as the second-highest category of new business registrations last year.
Acknowledging the industry's significance as one of the pillars of the economy, Sen. Villar expressed gratitude for the sectors that have rallied to support business owners engaged in food service. She assured the public that the government has consistently backed the food and beverage industry, as well as the agricultural sector as a whole.
However, Sen. Villar acknowledged the persistent challenges faced by farmers, emphasizing their position as the poorest segment of society. Determined to address these disparities, she shared her commitment to uplift the lives of farmers, meet the needs of the agricultural sector, and promote food security through legislative initiatives.
As Sen. Cynthia Villar concludes her speech at the Manila Food and Beverage Expo 2023, her impassioned plea for unity and support serves as a rallying call to empower the Food and Beverage Industry and ensure the well-being of the agricultural sector for a prosperous future.
Jun 15, 2023
