CEBU CITY — Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro is championing food banking as a key strategy to address hunger and strengthen food security as the country braces for a potentially prolonged dry spell and the threat of a super El Niño. The initiative aims to cushion vulnerable communities from food shortages by ensuring surplus food is recovered, stored, and safely redistributed.
A Lifeline for Vulnerable Communities
The governor made the push during the 2nd Philippine Food Banking Summit at the Capitol Social Hall on October 14, 2026. She emphasized that food banking is critical in the coming dry spell, noting that communities must save food, not just water.
"Hunger is partly a logistics problem, because there is surplus food somewhere, while elsewhere, families do not have enough," Baricuatro said. She stressed the need to get that food safely and promptly to where it is lacking. The summit brought together stakeholders from government, the private sector, and non-government organizations to discuss ways to strengthen food banking amid the paradox of food surpluses and hunger.
How Food Banks Work
SimplyShare Foundation, founded by Governor Baricuatro before she entered politics, is among the food banks in the country recognized by the Global FoodBanking Network. It is now managed by her daughter, Dr. Nikki Catalan, who serves as executive director. The foundation serves underserved communities including children, families experiencing food insecurity, older adults, persons with disabilities, solo parents, and residents of orphanages and shelters.
Hazel Quek, Asia Pacific regional director of the Global Foodbanking Network, explained that food banks recover surplus food from manufacturers, farmers, and retailers, then work with local partners to distribute it to people in need. This approach improves access to nutritious food while reducing food waste and its environmental impact. Effective food banking depends on coordinated action among government, the private sector, and NGOs.
Encouraging Private Sector Participation
The summit urged businesses, particularly those in food manufacturing, hotel, and restaurant industries, to donate surplus food to food banks instead of throwing it away. Dr. Catalan said several businesses have expressed openness to partnering with food banks in Cebu.
"We have quite a lot of private donors and support, and we'd benefit more if they understand and help collaborate with us especially sa manufacturers and retailers," she told the media. Quek noted that some countries have enacted laws protecting private donors from liability when donating surplus food, encouraging more businesses to participate. She added that hunger and food surplus go hand in hand, and food banks are an excellent solution to this issue.
A Personal Advocacy Beyond Politics
Governor Baricuatro said her election to public office has not changed her commitment to fighting hunger and malnutrition. "Food security is a priority of my administration. Every Cebuano deserves access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food," she said.
The governor and summit delegates signed a commitment wall to reaffirm their support for advancing food banking in the country. Several private companies have begun working with food banks in Cebu as part of their corporate social responsibility. The initiative reinforces the importance of sustained cooperation in ensuring that no edible food goes to waste while families go hungry.
