The observance of Filipino Food Month has brought renewed attention to policy efforts on food security and support for local food producers, highlighting the need to strengthen measures that sustain agriculture, fisheries, and the country’s food systems.

Marked every April, the celebration underscores the link between food security and cultural heritage, with Loren Legarda citing the need to protect farmers and fisherfolk and sustain food production.

“Filipino Food Month reminds us that food is more than nourishment. It is culture, memory, and strength. Protecting our farmers and fisherfolk ensures that families can continue to gather around the table with dignity and hope,” she said.

The observance comes amid ongoing concerns on food supply stability and the welfare of workers in the agriculture and fisheries sectors, highlighting how existing measures support production and livelihoods.

The observance also takes place within a broader regional context. This year’s theme, “Connected by Taste: Filipino Food in the Flavors of ASEAN,” coincides with the Philippines’ hosting of the ASEAN Summit.

Legarda said efforts to promote Filipino cuisine must be matched by measures that sustain food production, linking culinary heritage with livelihood support and long-term food security.

She also cited the inclusion of Manila, its environs, and Cebu in the Michelin Guide 2026, where 108 establishments were recognized.

“The world is finally tasting what we have long known—that Filipino food tells our story, from mountain to coast, from the labor of our farmers to the joy of our families,” she said.

As part of these efforts, Legarda has filed Senate Bill No. 822, or the Philippine Culinary Heritage Act, which seeks to institutionalize the preservation and promotion of culinary traditions.

The proposed measure creates a Committee on Philippine Gastronomy and Culinary Heritage under the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, tasked with conducting culinary mapping, supporting local food producers, and ensuring the continued observance of Filipino Food Month.

Legarda said food security also informs broader policy efforts aimed at supporting households during periods of economic disruption, including proposals to provide food assistance to low-income families.

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