New delhi: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured sufficient food supply as the government works to shield Filipino households from the economic impact of the continuing Middle East conflict, particularly rising oil and commodity prices. Speaking during a Kapihan following his participation in the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India on Sunday, Marcos said the government is focusing on areas it can directly influence, particularly food supply and prices, as geopolitical tensions disrupt energy markets and global supply chains.

According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos emphasized that while there are certain uncontrollable factors, such as the Iran conflict and oil price volatility, the government can manage food supply. "There are certain things that you cannot control, you have no influence over, such as the war in Iran and the volatility of the prices of oil. You can, however, do something about food," Marcos said. He assured that there is sufficient food supply in the Philippines, which the government is actively monitoring.

Ensuring an adequate food supply is part of the administration's strategy to prevent the Middle East conflict from disrupting the daily lives of Filipinos. The government is working to bring down food prices while continuing assistance to poor and vulnerable families.

As part of these efforts, Marcos disclosed that the Philippines is pursuing a possible long-term rice supply arrangement with Vietnam. He said the matter was discussed during a 20-minute bilateral meeting with the Vietnamese leader on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, covering rice imports, pricing, and the possibility of a long-term contract. "We talked about rice and rice importation and talking about a long-term contract. We talked about pricing. Hindi pa tapos. We've been talking about this for a long time," Marcos stated.

The Philippines and Vietnam have been in talks for a 'long-term rice trade mechanism', with discussions also taking place during the 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Cebu last May between Marcos and Vietnamese Prime Minister Lª Minh Hun.

Food and energy security were also among the priorities advanced by the Philippines during the BRICS Summit, where geopolitical conflicts and their impact on international trade and supply chains were prominent topics. At home, Marcos credited local government units for helping the national government deliver assistance to communities, particularly during emergencies and periods of economic difficulty.

Marcos noted that closer coordination between national and local governments has strengthened the government's capacity to reach vulnerable Filipinos and sustain assistance as external economic pressures persist. "And everybody is pitching in talaga. It's always become very much a whole government approach," he said.