Legarda pushes for sustainable food production practices

Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda emphasized the importance of shifting toward practicing organic agriculture and adopting the principles of slow food.

“We do not simply eat to satisfy our hunger. As we partake our food, we should be conscientious of the footprint our consumption leaves on the environment,” asserted Legarda.

“Together, let us mainstream slow food, lead the practice of a low-carbon lifestyle, and foster a culture of sustainability so that we can use our natural resources in a way that it is not wasted and depleted. Let us all live a quality and healthy life while giving much respect to our nature,” she added.

Legarda praised the staging of the 16th Negros Island Organic Farmers Festival and 1st Slow Food Terra Madre-Visayas, which is held at the Provincial Capitol Building of Negros Occidental from November 15 to 19.

She called the theme of the celebration, “Regeneration for Future Generations,” a perfect way to capture the essence of organic farming and agriculture.

The first-ever Terra Madre Visayas event, which Legarda supports, is made possible through the partnership among the Slow Food Community of Negros, Slow Food International, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Department of Tourism (DOT), and the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental.

Moreover, Legarda cited that food production must remain faithful to the environment with strong consideration of its effect in the future.

“As the author and principal sponsor of RA 10068 or the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 and co-author of its amended version, it gives me pride that the island of Negros, through the partnership of Occidental and Oriental, stays true as the ‘Organic Food Bowl of Asia,’” shared Legarda.

The law provides for the establishment of the National Organic Agricultural Program, which promotes the commercialization of organic farming practices, cultivation, and adoption of production and processing methods, among others.

Since its inaugural staging in 2006, the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental have hosted the festivities, the longest-running organic festival in the Philippines and Asia.

Aside from the fair, the festival has been hosting cooking fests, caravans, cultural performances, talent nights, and award ceremonies. (end)