Duterte urges Filipinos to "be prepared" for "difficult" food situation

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Sara Duterte has urged Filipinos to be prepared until the end of 2026 as the food situation in the country to become "more difficult" due to the threat of El Nino and rains until the end of the year as well as the ongoing price increases due to the War in the Middle East. She also said that the Office of the Vice President will practice "cost cutting measures" and cancelling their events to ensure that funds will be directed towards their public assistance programs. In a video statement on Friday, Duterte said that the "continuous rise in the prices of goods is a heavy blow to our aspiration of having a peaceful and prosperous life for every Filipino family," "What we are going through is not normal; it is the result of crises outside our country, including the war in the Middle East, which directly affects the price of food, oil, and other basic necessities," Duterte siad. She said that the OVP will continue to implement programs that are focused on helping people to save money, such as the PagbaBAGo Campaign, the OVP Free Bus Ride program, Mag Negosyo ta 'Day livelihood program, and the RIICE or the Relief for Indigents and Individuals in Crises and Emergencies program. Duterte also revealed that two events of the OVP to be held in June - the Pasidungog and the Kasarilayaan - will be cancelled for this year. "These are two large gatherings—one for the LGBTQ community and the other for the year-four accomplishment report of my term. Instead, the funds originally intended for these activities will be added to the budget of the RIICE project," Duterte said. She called on Filipinos to "prioritize sufficient food for our families, medical treatment for the sick, and the education of our children," "The most effective defense against crisis is preparedness. Let us begin planning our steps through the end of 2026, including preparing for possible job losses, the continued rise in food prices, and risk reduction measures against the effects of extreme heat and flooding on our livelihoods," Duterte said.

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