By: John Colin E. Yokingco

The OML Center participated in the “Round Table Discussion: Methodologies for Assessing Food and Nutrition Security” held last August 18, 2014 at the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) of the DOST Compound. The round table discussion was organized by the University of the Philippines Los Baños Interdisciplinary Studies Center on Food Security in collaboration with the FNRI. The event served as the first of a series of six round table discussions that “aim to expand the knowledge base on food and nutrition security, create awareness on food and nutrition security issues and challenges in the country, determine current gaps that can be addressed through research and development and advocate policy reforms to achieve food and nutrition security”.

The first half of the event featured presentations by three keynote speakers: Dr. Mario V. Capanza, Director of the Food Nutrition Research Instute; Ms. Hygeia Ceres Catalina B. Gawe, Chief of the Nutrition Surveillance Division of the National Nutrition Council; and Mr. Praveen Agrawal, Country Director of the World Food Programme – Philippines. Each of their presentations discussed the methods of assessing food security currently used in the Philippines. During the second half of the event, the participants were able to raise questions on the assessment of food security in the Philippines through the panel discussion and open forum.

The questions raised would hopefully be answered through the remaining five round table discussions of the series. The results of which can prove useful in addressing the issues of food security in the Philippines.