A DIGITAL LIFELINE FOR OUR OFWs: TIME TO TRY "OFW TULONG"

 A DIGITAL LIFELINE FOR OUR OFWs: TIME TO TRY "OFW TULONG"

Congratulations are well deserved for Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac on his appointment to head the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). The challenges ahead are immense, but so are the opportunities to innovate for the benefit of our modern-day heroes—the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

One such innovation is something I am proud to be part of: a web application called “OFW TULONG”—co-developed with my partner and good friend, Mr. Ferdenand Ibraheem Sabado of Yaramay IT. It is our humble offering to the DMW, a system designed with one simple goal: to make it easier for any OFW, anywhere in the world, to ask for help when they need it most.

Let me be clear from the start—this isn’t about replacing existing platforms like Musaned or the OFW Welfare Monitoring System (OWMS). Those systems have their uses, but let’s face it—most of them depend heavily on agency reports. And we know how that goes. Self-reporting isn't always the most reliable. That’s why “OFW TULONG” takes a different route: it empowers the OFWs themselves to report directly and ask for help—no intermediaries, no filters.

The system is currently accessible via any web browser—on a laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Soon, we’ll release it as a mobile app for a smoother user experience. But for now, it works well, and it works worldwide, if there’s an internet signal.

Here’s how it works in a nutshell:

·       OFWs sign up for free.

·       They log in anytime to request help.

·       The system alerts the relevant Migrant Workers Office (MWO) or Philippine Embassy.

·       MWOs can also check the dashboard in real time to know who needs assistance.

And the best part? It’s completely free for the DMW and all its offices abroad. No licenses to pay for, no usage fees, and no limit on the number of users. How is this possible? We’ve arranged for the system to be supported by Filipino recruitment agencies (FRAs and PRAs) who are required by law to monitor their deployed workers anyway. They need this, too—it’s a win-win.

We’re also opening the same system to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), and the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO). Everyone benefits from better data, better communication, and faster response times. And in emergency situations—when seconds count, “OFW TULONG” could be the difference between life and death. All we’re asking from the DMW is the green light to proceed—and the list of email addresses of users they want to onboard.

To address concerns raised, yes, Musaned exists, and yes, agencies do use OWMS. But again, those are largely agency-driven. What we’re offering is a worker-centered system. A tool built for Filipinos, by Filipinos—with our own workers’ real needs in mind.

We also understand that information coming from Labor Attachés, Welfare Officers, and ground personnel is critical. That’s why we’ve baked their expertise into the system’s design. This isn’t a foreign solution trying to be localized—it’s a local solution made for global Filipinos.

In a world where everything is going digital, it’s time that our assistance-to-nationals function gets digitized, too. The DMW should lead the way, and “OFW TULONG” is ready to help make that happen—today, not tomorrow.

Let’s not let this opportunity pass us by. Let’s put technology to good use—for the safety, welfare, and dignity of every OFW.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres
iseneres@yahoo.com, senseneres.blogspot.com

09-18-2025 

UNIFIED MEDICAL AID SERVICE

 UNIFIED MEDICAL AID SERVICE

If lawyers now have the Unified Legal Aid Service (ULAS) under Supreme Court rules, shouldn’t doctors have something similar? I say yes—and I propose we establish the Unified Medical Aid Service (UMAS).

UMAS would be the doctor’s counterpart to ULAS. Its aim? To ensure that medical professionals render service to those who need it most—particularly the poor, the remote, the neglected, and the forgotten.

Let’s be clear: this is not about punishing doctors or burdening them. It is about giving structure to what many already do voluntarily helping the underserved through medical missions, free clinics, and community work.

UMAS shall officially replace the old Doctors to the Barrios program. But unlike that model which physically deploys young doctors to far-flung areas for years, UMAS is more flexible. It gives doctors choices. They may render pro bono services:

·       In their own clinics, attending to indigent patients.

·       In medical missions by NGAs, NGOs, LGUs, or even private companies under their CSR programs.

·       In jails, orphanages, rural health units, or public hospitals.

·       Online, through telemedicine or digital health consultations.

This flexibility is key. Some doctors may not be able to travel or uproot themselves—but they still want to help. Others, such as retired or balikbayan doctors, may want to volunteer when and where they can. UMAS can give them that space.

A tax credit system—perhaps through BIR in coordination with DOH—can help offset the costs of medical equipment and supplies doctors use when delivering these services. That’s fair. Service must not become a financial burden.

There should also be a formal system where NGAs, LGUs, NGOs, and even corporate CSR units can request doctors under UMAS. And priority should be given to national agencies like DOH, DSWD, PCSO, PhilHealth, NCSC, NCIP, and PAGCOR.

I also propose that medical students who volunteer under UMAS should earn time credits, to be applied when they become full-fledged doctors. This builds a pipeline of service-minded professionals.

And what about services delivered online to OFWs and Indigenous Peoples in geographically isolated areas? These should not just be allowed—they should be encouraged. It’s high time we recognize the value of telemedicine, especially in a country with more than 7,000 islands.

I stand witness to the world class doctors who attended to me when I was sick, and who might have saved my life. I am happy about that, but I am also sad about the fact that I received the attention that I needed because I had the money to pay for it. however, I always wonder about the other patients who could not get the medical care that they need, because there are no doctors who are available for them.

I am always awed at how Dr. Jim Sanchez could perform surgeries for free trough his “Hospital on Wheels”. I often wish that I could clone that one-of-a-kind doctor and replicate what he is doing, so that there could be thousands of doctors like him who could reach out to serve the poor. Perhaps, with the help of UMAS, my wish could now come true. And yes, I have another wish—that doctors will not dislike me for thinking of this idea!

So, here’s my question: If we have a system to make lawyers serve the poor, why can’t we have one for doctors too?

UMAS can be our answer. It’s not just a public health initiative—it’s a moral one.

It’s time we give medicine the structured, nation-first heart it deserves.

Let’s build UMAS. Let’s heal as one.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres
iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com

09-17-2025 

TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE SCHOOLHOUSE DESIGN

 TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE SCHOOLHOUSE DESIGN

We often assume that schools are just places of learning—four walls, a chalkboard (or digital board nowadays), and desks. But what if we rethink the entire structure? What if we reimagine a school not just as a learning space, but also as a living space? This brings us to the idea of the "schoolhouse"—a sustainable, resilient building that combines both functions of a school and a house.

The concept is quite simple, yet revolutionary. Picture a building with a maximum of four stories, designed to accommodate students, faculty members, and non-academic staff alike—not only during school hours but throughout the day and night. This schoolhouse isn't just an educational facility. It’s a home.

Why do we need this? Because we have always taken it for granted that those who go to or work in schools have places to stay. But many students walk for hours or take long commutes. Some teachers rent faraway rooms. Non-teaching staff sometimes sleep on school floors after hours just to avoid the expense and exhaustion of daily travel. A schoolhouse recognizes these realities and addresses them head-on.

Here’s how it works:

·       The first two floors will serve as classrooms, flexible enough to accommodate learners from grade school to graduate school.

·       The third floor will serve as a common area, with a kitchen, canteen, laundry room, storage space, and a faculty room.

·       The fourth floor will be dedicated to dormitories, offering shared rooms for students, teachers, and staff—with separate shower and sleeping areas for male and female residents.

·       Each floor will have its own comfort rooms, ensuring accessibility and hygiene.

But a sustainable schoolhouse doesn’t end with function—it must also embrace environmental responsibility. The rooftop will be a model of green engineering, fitted with solar panels to harness renewable energy. Still, it will remain connected to the local power grid for backup. A rainwater collection system will be installed for washing and cleaning, while maintaining a connection to the municipal water system for drinking and cooking.

Connectivity matters, too. The entire building will be internet-ready, powered by both cable and satellite technology to ensure no digital divide, even in remote locations.

Environmental sustainability also means managing waste. The schoolhouse will include a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) and its own Sewage Treatment Plant (STP)—so nothing is wasted and nothing pollutes. Structurally, it will be tough. Designed to withstand earthquakes up to intensity 7.5 and winds of 256 km/h, the schoolhouse will be disaster resilient. That’s a non-negotiable in a country like ours.

What’s even better? At least 50% of the building materials will be sourced from renewable or recyclable materials—such as used plastic and rubber. This isn’t just about saving costs—it’s about saving the environment. The design will use prefabricated components and Completely Knocked Down (CKD) parts, making construction faster, cheaper, and more scalable across different locations.

And yes—it will strictly comply with the National Building Code. Sustainability should never come at the cost of safety.

So why not build schoolhouses instead of just schools? Why not invest in spaces that care for learners and educators as whole human beings—not just as producers and consumers of academic performance? A sustainable schoolhouse is not just a building—it is a vision of equity, resilience, and forward-thinking design.

In certain situations wherein all the students are living in the same building, such as in the case of boarding schools, orphanages and seminaries, cancelling classes during floods, storms and other emergencies will no longer be a problem, because the authorities could just lock down entire schoolhouses at any given time.

Let’s stop thinking of school as just a place to visit and start building schoolhouses as places to belong.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres
iseneres@yahoo.com, senseneres.blogspot.com

09-16-2025 

FROM CACAO TO CABINET: FORMING A CLUSTER FOR THE PHILIPPINE CHOCOLATE INDUSTRY

 FROM CACAO TO CABINET: FORMING A CLUSTER FOR THE PHILIPPINE CHOCOLATE INDUSTRY

Is our chocolate export industry important enough to warrant the creation of a new Cabinet Cluster?

Some might scoff at the idea. But let’s frame the question differently: What if our chocolate—made from a rare, heirloom variety of cacao—is worth its weight in gold?

Thanks to visionary farmer-entrepreneurs like Chris Fadriga and advocates like Ramon Uy, Sr., the Philippines is now rediscovering and promoting the legendary Criollo cacao—a variety so rare it has become almost extinct in its country of origin, Mexico. Brought over during the Galleon Trade and surviving quietly for centuries in our soil, the Criollo strain is now being revived with passion and precision in farms across Negros and other parts of the country.

If we are sitting on agricultural gold, shouldn’t we treat it as such?

Consider this: Switzerland, famous for its chocolate, does not grow cacao. Yet it dominates the global market simply by mastering processing and branding. By contrast, the Philippines is a cacao producer, and if we combine that with a focused effort in processing, branding, and exporting, we could position ourselves as a niche player with global impact.

The global chocolate industry is currently worth about $120 billion. The United States alone imports $8.25 billion worth of cacao and cocoa preparations annually. And yet, the Philippines only exports about $22 million in these products to the U.S.—a mere fraction of what is possible.

The obvious question is: Why not more?

To be fair, the local chocolate industry is still small but growing. Pioneers like Filipa Madora and Ramon Uy Sr. have been quietly proving that premium, single-origin Philippine chocolate has both a place and a future in global markets. But this movement cannot remain private sector driven alone. It’s time for the national government to step in—not with a small task force or Technical Working Group (TWG), but with the formation of a new Cabinet Cluster on High-Value Crops and Agri-Exports.

This proposed cluster would coordinate efforts across several key agencies:

• Department of Agriculture (DA) for cultivation and farmer support
• Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for branding, promotion, and export
• Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for product innovation and research
• Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for sustainable agroforestry
• Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) for land use and farmer beneficiaries
• National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to ensure inclusive livelihood
• Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) for post-harvest and by-products
• University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) for scientific guidance and genetic conservation

This cluster would be tasked with nothing less than crafting a national strategy for cacao and chocolate exports, with a special emphasis on the Criollo strain. It would oversee the creation of regional cacao hubs, promote farmer cooperatives, offer tax incentives for premium chocolate processors, and launch a “Chocolates from the Philippines” global campaign—just as other countries have branded their wines, teas, or coffees.

Equally important, this cluster can integrate cacao cultivation into reforestation programs, a practice already being explored by Mr. Uy. Imagine forests filled with cacao and coffee trees—restoring biodiversity, preventing soil erosion, and generating income for Indigenous Tribal Peoples (ITPs). It’s a beautiful fusion of environmental protection and rural development.

There is no reason why the Philippines, blessed with fertile land and resilient farmers, should remain a bit player in the global chocolate story. We have the golden bean, the Criollo, in our hands. All we need now is strategic coordination, policy support, and sustained investment to turn this treasure into a national export brand.

Let Switzerland keep its cows. Let us bet on our cacao.

And let’s stop thinking small. The Filipino chocolate industry doesn’t need another working group—it needs a seat at the Cabinet table.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres
iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com

09-15-2025

WHY WE NEED A CABINET CLUSTER FOR TRADE, CLIMATE & COMPETITIVENESS

 WHY WE NEED A CABINET CLUSTER FOR TRADE, CLIMATE & COMPETITIVENESS

When former U.S. President Donald Trump rolled out sweeping tariffs on a wide range of imports, the world reacted with both alarm and curiosity. Was it protectionism? Was it leverage? Or was it just politics?

Whatever the intent, the result was clear: a disruption in global trade. For countries like the Philippines, it became a double-edged sword. On one side, we risked losing markets for our exports. On the other, we found an opening—an opportunity to step in where others faltered. But to seize this opportunity, we need more than wishful thinking—we need coordinated strategy at the highest level.

This is why I now propose the creation of a Cabinet Cluster for Trade, Climate, and Competitiveness—a permanent, high-level body that can assess global trade shocks, climate risks, and technology-driven opportunities, then convert them into national advantage.

From TWG to Cabinet Cluster: Why the Upgrade?

Previously, I proposed a Technical Working Group (TWG) to analyze the twin challenges of climate change and shifting trade dynamics. That was a good start—but not enough. In today’s volatile global environment, a TWG doesn’t have the authority or reach to realign policy, shift national priorities, or fund major innovations. Only a Cabinet Cluster, chaired by a senior economic manager or even the President himself, can integrate policy, budget, diplomacy, agriculture, and innovation in real time.

What’s at Stake?

Let’s take a real-world scenario. Suppose a major coffee-exporting country is hit by U.S. tariffs and by climate-induced droughts. That’s a double whammy—a blow from both trade policy and the environment. But if the Philippines, with its microclimates and untapped highland farms, steps in and increases coffee output—we get a double rally: one in production, the other in exports.

But we can’t just plant coffee or cacao or whatever crop is trending on the global market. We must know:

• What to plant
• Where to plant
• When to plant
• For which export market

This demands data, forecasting, AI, and strategic leadership—the kind only a Cabinet Cluster can coordinate.

Who Should Be Involved?

The proposed Cabinet Cluster for Trade, Climate, and Competitiveness should include:

• Presidential Management Staff (PMS) – to coordinate political and policy directions
• Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDEV) – for macroeconomic and sectoral planning
• Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – to align industries with emerging global opportunities
• Department of Agriculture (DA) – to pivot production based on forecasted demand
• Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – to locate idle land and convert it into productive use, such as food forests
• Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – to bring in the science
• Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) – to provide the digital infrastructure and AI tools
• Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) – for economic diplomacy and trade negotiations
• Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) – for timely and accurate data
• Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) – to retrain the workforce for agro-industrial needs
• Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and other private sector leaders – to ensure that strategies align with real business conditions

The Missing Piece: Data and AI

During the time of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., the Presidential Management Staff, the Presidential Economic Staff (now DEPDEV), and the National Computer Center (now DICT) often worked together. Today, they should be reunited—this time with artificial intelligence in the mix.

Imagine if we could overlay climate projections, global demand data, tariff shifts, and shipping routes to pinpoint our export edge. That’s no longer science fiction—it’s policy intelligence. AI can tell us where to plant coconuts for future biofuel demand, or when to scale up abaca production as other countries shut down their fiber farms.

Replacing the Double Whammy with Double Gains

Other nations may be losing factories due to climate risk or tariff burdens. Why not invite them to relocate here? We already have Freeport zones. If we offer strategic incentives—green energy, competitive labor, export tax breaks—they might say yes. And our workers win.

Let’s also stop exporting raw logs, raw ores, and raw everything. Value-added exports should be the rule. Why send out raw cacao when we can export chocolate? Why export raw coffee beans when we can export roasted blends?

The Bottom Line

This is not just about trade or agriculture. It’s about how we position the Philippines in a rapidly changing global economy—a world defined by climate instability, supply chain disruptions, and protectionist shocks.

If we act now, we can be a supplier of choice, a host for relocated industries, and a model for sustainable competitiveness. But if we hesitate, we risk becoming a casualty of global forces we failed to anticipate.

Let us not be caught flat-footed.

Let us transform the double whammy into a double opportunity—with the help of a Cabinet Cluster that’s ready to lead, plan, and act.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres
iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com

09-14-2025

TOWARDS A CABINET CLUSTER FOR GREEN HOUSING AND BIO-HOMES

TOWARDS A CABINET CLUSTER FOR GREEN HOUSING AND BIO-HOMES

What if we could solve three major problems in one move—affordable housing, plastic and glass waste, and sustainable living? The answer may lie in a game-changing idea: Bio-Homes, housing units made with recycled and renewable materials, designed for energy and food efficiency, and built with the climate in mind.

Forty years ago, the development buzzword was "appropriate technologies." Today, the more fitting term is "sustainable technologies"—which, to me, is not just a trend but a survival strategy. What’s the use of building something appropriate for now if it can’t last for the future?

Why Bio-Homes?

Bio-Homes are not just about construction—they represent a whole new way of living. These homes are made with materials like bamboo, recycled plastic, used tires, and glass bottles. They can include solar panels, biogas digesters, aquaponics systems, and even vertical gardens. They bring together housing, energy, water, waste management, and food production in one integrated structure.

And it’s not just theory. Around the world, the movement is real:

• Sweden is building entire communities using timber.
• Burj Zanzibar in Africa is set to become the tallest timber building in the world.
• The UN Environment Programme is pushing for bio-based construction in developing countries.

Why not the Philippines?

We already have the raw materials. We have bamboo growing across provinces. We have communities collecting bottles and old tires. We have plastic waste in massive supply. But what we lack is a unified policy push, the kind that only a dedicated Cabinet Cluster on Sustainable Housing and Green Communities can provide.

Why a Cabinet Cluster?

Because this is more than a housing issue. Bio-Homes touch multiple departments and sectors. If we truly want to scale this, we need more than a Technical Working Group (TWG) —we need a higher-level coordination.

A proposed Cabinet Cluster for Sustainable Housing and Green Communities should include:

• Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) – to lead the policy framework and housing models
• Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – to standardize construction protocols and green building codes
• Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – for environmental compliance and waste-to-material conversion
• Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – to support eco-materials enterprises
• Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – to fund research and innovation
• Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) – to train workers in green construction methods
• Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) – to integrate sustainable architecture into the curriculum

This Cabinet Cluster would institutionalize sustainability in housing policy—coordinating funding, setting targets, and incentivizing innovation from both government and the private sector.

Working Models Are Already Here

We already have local companies doing incredible work:

• Envirotech Waste Recycling turns plastic waste into building blocks and furniture.
• Restore Company repurposes materials for modular housing.
• Trident, Vantastic, Smarthouse Philippines, and Vazbuilt are rethinking prefabricated homes using upcycled containers and panels.

Let’s support these pioneers, not with red tape but with red carpets.

Innovation, Education, and Empowerment

Top architecture schools—like UST, UP, Adamson, Enderun, UE—should be tapped to develop and showcase prototype Bio-Homes. These should become part of the living laboratory of sustainable urban design.

Communities should be trained in modular construction techniques, using materials like:

• Bamboo – fast-growing, strong, flexible, and climate-smart.
• Recycled glass – perfect for walls that offer insulation and natural lighting.
• Rubber tires – ideal for insulation, drainage, and waterproofing.
• Plastic waste – increasingly usable in composite panels, bricks, and furniture.

Workshops, volunteer build-days, and crowdfunding platforms can rally support at the grassroots level.

Benefits You Can Measure

Bio-Homes cut energy and water bills. They collect rainwater. They use biogas from animal waste. They produce food in their backyards and rooftops. They use solar cookers or renewable fuel. They reduce landfill demand and boost livelihoods in waste-to-wealth ventures.

They are not just homes. They are green jobs, education hubs, eco-tourism attractions, and disaster-resilient shelters all rolled into one.

The Bigger Picture

With climate change, rising costs, and the housing backlog colliding, we can’t afford to delay. A Cabinet Cluster for Sustainable Housing would drive the national roadmap we need—from regulatory reform and tax incentives to technology transfer and pilot townships.

Let’s not wait until our landfills overflow or typhoons destroy more substandard homes. Let’s act while we still have the opportunity to shape the housing future—not just for today, but for the next generation.

Let’s build more Bio-Homes—because the future of housing must be clean, green, and inclusive.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres
iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com

09-13-2025

A CABINET CLUSTER FOR RICE SECURITY

A CABINET CLUSTER FOR RICE SECURITY

Rice security and rice sufficiency are two sides of the same coin—but are we seeing the whole coin? Is anyone in government truly thinking in terms of a wholistic, integrated approach to rice security, beyond production targets, subsidies, or importation stopgaps?

Let me put it plainly: we cannot claim rice security if we are not rice sufficient, and we cannot be rice sufficient if our only solution is to keep importing more rice. And certainly, food security is not equal to rice security alone. What good is rice without vegetables, protein, and other essential nutrients?

The Numbers Behind the Illusion

Let’s look at the figures. The Philippines produced about 19.96 million metric tons of palay in 2021. At first glance, that seems to exceed our estimated annual demand of 15.14 million metric tons of rice. But here’s where things get real.

Only about 70% of palay becomes milled rice. That reduces our usable yield to just 13.97 million metric tons. Already, that’s a deficit of 1.17 million metric tons.

But we’re not done. Post-harvest losses—especially due to outdated drying methods like laying palay on roads—reduce this yield by another 10%, and pest and moisture spoilage shaves off another 5%. So, in truth, we’re probably only getting around 12.2 to 12.5 million metric tons of actual rice.

To make up the difference, we imported 2.9 million metric tons in 2022. And yet, our buffer stock remains dangerously slim—reportedly good for just 15 days. For something as essential as rice, is that anywhere near acceptable?

Moving Beyond Patchwork Solutions

In earlier discussions, I suggested forming a Technical Working Group (TWG) to address post-harvest inefficiencies. That’s still useful—but what we need now is a Cabinet Cluster for Rice and Grains Security, with the authority, budget, and coordination muscle to tackle the problem from seed to table.

Why a Cabinet Cluster?

Because rice security is not just an agriculture issue. It’s also about:

• Post-harvest infrastructure – under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Agriculture (DA)
• Transport and logistics – led by the Department of Transportation (DOTr)
• Storage and warehousing – with inputs from the National Food Authority (NFA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
• Technology and research – under Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and state universities
• Farmer welfare and financing – involving the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP)
• Food price regulation and consumer protection – guided by the DTI and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)

A Cabinet Cluster for Rice and Grains Security would unify these efforts under one roof—streamlining policies, coordinating timelines, and ensuring results. This is no longer about forming another committee. It’s about putting rice security at the heart of our national agenda.

What the Cluster Should Do

1.   Mandate post-harvest infrastructure in every rice-producing province. Dryers, silos, cold storage, and efficient rice mills are non-negotiable. Without them, we keep losing a chunk of our harvest before it even hits the market.

2.   Promote alternative rice farming methods, such as saline-tolerant and upland varieties, and invest in climate-resilient agriculture. Not all regions can depend on traditional irrigation.

3.   Fund the replacement of obsolete rice mills with high-efficiency models. The private sector can be incentivized through subsidies or tax breaks to participate.

4.   Develop a national rice logistics plan—one that includes not only roads but also transport fleets, ports, and cold chains to reduce transit spoilage.

5.   Modernize consumption habits by reviving the “half rice” and “clean plate” campaigns. Let’s tackle food waste on the consumption side while we address losses on the production side.

6.   Establish a rice buffer stock target of at least 3 to 6 months, not just 15 days. Food resilience must be our hedge against geopolitical shocks and climate disruptions.

Rice Sufficiency as a National Duty

If Thailand can produce 34 million metric tons of rice a year, and Myanmar 24 million, then the Philippines can surely aim for 30 million metric tons. But this requires political will, strategic funding, and sustained leadership—not just seasonal panic-buying or ceremonial rice distributions.

We must also move toward being a net rice exporter. That’s not a fantasy—it’s a feasible goal with the right systems in place. But we won’t get there with a piecemeal approach.

Final Thoughts

Rice security must be elevated from a bureaucratic talking point to a national imperative. A Cabinet Cluster for Rice and Grains Security can turn rhetoric into results—by driving collaboration, eliminating inefficiencies, and investing where it truly matters.

Let’s stop pretending that importation is a long-term solution. Let’s stop tolerating preventable losses. Let’s stop making rice security a seasonal issue every time prices spike. The future of food in the Philippines begins with rice—but it doesn’t end there.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres
iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com

09-12-2025