Disrupting the food cycle and supply chains is one of the many aggravating problems that this pandemic has brought about to our society.

With constrained mobility due to transport immobilization and limited people’s movement due to lockdown measures and fear of getting infected, the producer-market-consumer and production-consumption systems have been derailed significantly, if not stopped. At the same time, the traditional or normal way of doing things has suddenly become half-practicable, and e-commerce or online agricultural and food transactions have also become widely accepted and practiced.

Hence, the new normal poses serious challenges and opportunities to the food cycle and supply chains. More so, should this pandemic drag us out in the longer run, the flow of food and affiliate products must be ensured to unceasingly provide food availability and access to the population. Furthermore, local industries must be supported for the recovery of local economy.

It is in this context that the Stratbase ADR Institute, in partnership with CitizenWatch Philippines, held a virtual town hall discussion (vTHD) entitled, “Managing Food Supply Chains Amidst a Pandemic: A Multi-Stakeholder Perspective”. held on 30 September 2020, Wednesday, from 9:30 – 12:00 pm.

Program

Welcoming Remarks
Prof. Dindo Manhit
President, Stratbase ADR Institute

Keynote Address
Usec. Ariel T. Cayanan
Undersecretary for Operations and Agri-Fisheries Mechanization, Department of Agriculture

Rep. Argel Joseph Cabatbat
Representative, Magsasaka Partylist

Mr. Roberto C. Amores
Director, Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Dr. Roehlano M. Briones
Senior Research Fellow,
Philippine Institute for Development Studies

Mr. Elias Jose M. Inciong
President, United Broiler Raisers Association

Ms. Stephanie Nicole Garcia
President, Philippine Association of Feed Millers, Inc.

Mr. Rex E. Agarrado
Spokesperson, Philippine Association of Meat Processors, Inc.