Senator Francis Tolentino has urged the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to upgrade tamban production for the country’s food security.
“This is part of your priority area plans— food security is number two and you have 438 ongoing projects for food security,” Tolentino said.
“Perhaps, you would agree with me that tamban upgrading of production is part of food security,” Tolentino said during the DOST budget briefing at the Senate.
He added that tamban is important as it is being used for sardines, a staple food for Filipinos.
“Canned goods are the foods of Filipinos especially during typhoon and relief operations,” he said.
The senator also cited examples that DOST can replicate to boost tamban production such as the raising in Dagupan, Pangasinan of bangus fingerlings from Iloilo for more supply.
He likewise urged the DOST to have a cohesive research and development targeted for food security.
“We should give muscle to food security since this has been our problem for 30 years,” he said.