MASIPAG SUPPORTS DAVAO’S FOOD SECURITY CODE PROPOSAL
Masipag, a farmer-led network advocating for sustainable agriculture, has publicly expressed support for Davao City’s proposed Food Security Code. The proposal seeks to outline local policies aimed at strengthening the city’s capacity to ensure stable and accessible food supplies, according to initial reports from local stakeholders. Masipag’s backing highlights the interest of small farmers and rural communities in the ongoing policy discussions. While the full text of the code is still being reviewed, observers note that it generally focuses on local food systems, production, and access. The announcement has drawn attention from civil society groups that monitor agricultural and food security policies.
The issue is relevant because Davao City is a major agricultural hub in Mindanao and plays a key role in regional food distribution. Ensuring food security in such an area has implications not only for city residents but also for surrounding provinces that depend on its markets, based on preliminary assessments by local planners. Food security codes typically address matters such as production support, distribution channels, and emergency food reserves, though exact provisions can vary by locality. In this context, Masipag’s involvement signals that farmer organizations want a voice in how these rules are shaped. Their participation may help align the code with the realities of small-scale producers, according to comments from sector representatives.
Available information indicates that Masipag is emphasizing agroecology, farmer-led seed systems, and protection of local biodiversity in its support for the proposal. These themes are consistent with the network’s long-standing advocacy for reduced dependence on external inputs and corporate seed suppliers, based on its published position papers. In relation to the Davao code, Masipag is reported to favor measures that recognize community-based seed banks and traditional farming knowledge. The group also appears to welcome provisions that could prioritize local produce in public procurement and feeding programs, according to accounts from participating advocates. However, the exact wording of any such provisions remains subject to formal legislative review.
Authorities and legislators are currently verifying which recommendations from Masipag and other groups can be incorporated into the final version of the Food Security Code. This process includes checking consistency with existing national laws, such as those governing agriculture, food safety, and local government powers, according to legal advisers involved in the
