FOOD security and livelihood advocacy group Tugon Kabuhayan on Monday urged Filipino consumers to buy Christmas gifts from their community food producers and patronize Filipino-made products.

“We have always been consistent in our advocacy of supporting local food producers. We urge everyone to buy from our food producers, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Whenever we buy from them, we not only boost the sale of their products but also ensure they have a stable source of income,” Asis Perez, Tugon Kabuhayan convenor, said in a statement.

In a related development, Tugon Kabuhayan also expressed its support for the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in its plan to strictly implement Fisheries Administrative Order 195, Series of 1999, which prohibits the entry of imported fish into domestic wet markets if not covered by certificate of necessity to import.

“The effort of BFAR in informing wet market operators that imported pink salmon and pompano should not be sold in wet markets is a welcome development — both for the food safety of our consuming public and the economic security of our fisherfolk,” said Perez, former BFAR national director.

Tugon Kabuhayan emphasized that these imported products should be kept frozen to be thawed out only when about to be cooked. Exposing these in the wet market environment is a likely health hazard as studies indicate that doing so speeds up the multiplication of microorganisms.

As the economy recovers from the pandemic, local food producers are stepping up their production for both the domestic and export market.

One of them is Mailyn Villasin, whose homemade gourmet tuyo (dried fish) and tinapa are now being sold in Dubai, Hong Kong and Taiwan. She started her business in 2018 in her hometown Lucena City with a starting capital of P15,000.

“Our local products deserve our support and patronage. They make great gifts for our friends and loved ones. Not only do you help our local businesses, but those products are healthier and good for you,” said the Tasty Bites owner and chief executive officer.

Bonifacio Orgas, president of the Samahan sa Industriya ng Cacao Pangkabuhayan Quezon Agriculture Cooperative, said local food products make for great pasalubong for those going or returning abroad.

“Quezon province produces chocolates that are as tasty as those made overseas,” Orgas said.

For its part, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) hosts local trade fairs showcasing local products and produce from farmers, fisherfolk and local MSMEs.

Honeylee Eclavea, Trade and Industry Development Specialist of DTI-Quezon, said that the One Town, One Product (OTOP) program has been upgraded to OTOP Next Generation to highlight not just one product.