CHED in Bicol ‘buying local’ to support calamity-hit farmers

By Ernie Delgado

LEGAZPI CITY --- Recent powerful typhoons and torrential rains have severely impacted agriculture in the Bicol region, leaving small farmers needing support. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) acknowledged their plight and implemented a response policy.

On December 16, Tuesday, CHED Bicol announced its new policy “to serve only locally produced foods as snacks and meals during meetings and other occasions.”

On its Facebook page, CHED Bicol said the policy requires it to “prioritize regionally produced products, such as root crops, rice cakes, vegetables, and other food items produced by local farmers.”

Government agencies, including CHED Bicol, typically source meals and snacks for official meetings from fast food chains, catering providers, and conference facilities, which usually serve processed foods, pasta, and sandwiches.

Through the new policy, CHED Bicol “reaffirms its commitment to strengthening the local agricultural sector by helping small-scale farmers secure a stable, reliable market for their products,” it added.

Not a few internet users lauded the initiative.

One user, Iris Castillo, said, “I love this! Thank you, CHED, we have lots of root crops in Masbate produced by local farmers.”

Another user, Rio Guimbaolibot, said, “Available po sa amin calamansi juice and concentrate titimplahin na lang kesa po so lagi kayo na softdrinks or tetrapack juices (We have calamansi juice and concentrate available, just mix it up instead of the usual soft drinks or tetrapack juices).”

A third user, Robert Barba, said, “Kudos CHED RO V for this initiative! Worth replicating!” (PIA Bicol/Masbate)

A woman sells produce from her farm at a temporary open market set up for agrarian reform beneficiaries in Masbate City by the Department of Agrarian Reform. (Photo courtesy of DAR Masbate)