The Department of Agriculture (DA), together with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UN FAO), formally kicked off the annual celebration of the World Food Day on October 14, 2024 at the DA Grounds in Quezon City.

The opening program and ribbon cutting ceremony were led by 2024 WFD Chairperson Allan Q. Umali, UN FAO Country Representative Lionel Valentin Dabbadie, Undersecretary for Operations Roger V. Navarro, and Assistant Secretary for Administration Allen Kristopher A. Anarna. This was also witnessed by representatives of FAO, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and other DA officials and employees.

“This is the forty-third successive year in which the Filipino people have joined 149 other nations around the world in the observance of World Food Day,” Usec. Navarro said.

“As in previous years, we celebrate this day by recommitting ourselves to the struggle to end hunger here in our own country and in all other places around the world where hunger exists,” he added.

This year’s theme, “Right to Foods for a Better Life and a Better Future. Leave No One Behind,” recognizes the importance of food—a basic essential integral in human life. It reminds us that access to adequate and nutritious food is not a privilege but a fundamental human right.

As highlight of the event, the DA unveiled an exhibit featuring the “food heroes” who are working tirelessly to ensure that every Filipino has an equal access to healthy, affordable, and safe food.

“Our fight against hunger is one of the enduring global human rights causes of our time. It is a battle fought on a worldwide front—and we are fortunate to have allies in organizations like the FAO fighting the same battle with us,” Usec. Navarro said.

The celebration of the 2024 WFD will culminate on October 16, Wednesday, at the Liwasang Aurora of the Quezon City Memorial Circle ### (Kristel Joyce Merle, DA-AFID)