Sen. Cynthia Villar exhorted everyone to work together and support the country’s Food and Beverage Industry.

During the Opening Ceremony of the 17th Manila Food and Beverage Expo 2023 held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, she also urged backing to the agricultural sector to further promote our local produce.

At present, she said the food and beverage industry has become highly diversified, covering a wide spectrum of manufacturing practices. This includes small-scale, traditional, family-run operations that are highly labor-intensive to large-scale, capital-intensive enterprises employing advanced mechanized industrial processes.

“Numerous food industries rely on local agriculture, produce, or fishing, while others rely on imports to meet their production needs,” related the chairperson of the Senate agriculture and food committee.

The food system, she said, operates as a complex network interconnecting farmers with various industries.

“This network covers not only the farmers themselves but also extends to include manufacturers of farm equipment and chemicals, as well as firms that provide services to agribusinesses, such as logistics and financial services,” Villar said.

According to the veteran lawmaker, the Covid-19 pandemic has reminded us of the significance of supporting the agricultural sector, as our local farmers play a vital role to ensure food security during times of crisis.

As the industry is one of the pillars of the economy, she said a lot of sectors are coming out to support business owners engaged in food service.