SENATOR Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Pacquiao on Thursday vowed to create a masterplan that will map out long-term and sustainable programs to ensure food security and strengthen the country’s agriculture and fishery sectors.

Pacquiao said that the Philippines should strive to become self-reliant and reduce its dependence on imported agricultural products by focusing on production, distribution and consumption or PDC.

He said the government should have a well-laid masterplan that will provide a long-term strategy to increase food production.

Apart from food security, Pacquiao said that if he wins, his administration will also initiate programs and policies that will optimize the use of the country’s food sources.

The aspiring president said that he is against importation because it only benefits other countries, the importers and even smugglers.

“Against ako sa importation tulad ng mga gulay at isda dahil kaya naman nating mag-produce. Dati nga tayo ang nag-e-export kaya alam kong kaya nating magawa ito at makamit nating magkaroon tayo ng food security,” Pacquiao pointed out.

“Palakasin natin ang mga sektor ng agrikultura at tulungan natin ang ating mangingisda upang magkaroon ng sapat sa hapag-kainan ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” he added.

He reiterated that having a master plan for food security will ensure that Filipinos are not only food-secure but are also economically stable.

“Kailangan nating palaguin ang ating agrikultura. Dapat mayroon tayong programa para sa seguridad sa pagkain at hindi basta na lang tayo nabubulaga ng mga shortage o kakulangan sa mga pangunahing pangangailangan, tulad ng isda at gulay na ngayo’y nag-aangkat pa tayo,” Pacquiao said.