MANILA, Philippines -- A lawmaker urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday to reorient its agricultural programs towards guaranteeing food security.

In a statement, Palawan Representative Abraham Kahlil, House agriculture committee chairman, said the current rice crisis is not caused by shrinking production but “government’s inability to think of a program compatible with the diverse agricultural needs, implement sound programs that cater to the needs of the farmers that will help ensure the country’s long term food security.”

Mitra, with members of his committee and House Speaker Prospero Nograles, recently held a consultation in Urdaneta, Pangasinan.

Abono party-list Representative Robert Raymond Estrella backed Mitra’s observation, saying the DA should first identify the needs and capabilities of each agricultural region to avoid wasting money and support services.

“Meron kasing mga programa ang DA na madalas, hindi naman applicable sa lahat ng farmers pero ibibigay pa rin nila para lang masabing may programa silang naipiprisenta. But in the end, hindi naman napapakinabangan ng mga magsasaka, tulad ng mga water pumps. [The DA has programs, like water pumps, which are not applicable to all farmers, but the DA continues give these away just to show it is doing something. But in the end, farmers do not benefit from these programs, like the water pumps],” Estrella said.

Mitra’s committee has been going around the country on consultations as part of efforts to seek solutions to the rice crisis.