Philippines may expand food security project to more regions

The Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee is considering expanding an ongoing food security project to additional regions as the government works to address hunger. The committee also discussed amendments to infrastructure projects aimed at improving connectivity.

The Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee (ICC-CC) may expand an ongoing food security project to more regions as the government seeks to address hunger and improve access to adequate nutrition.

In a Facebook post, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) said the ICC-CC on 9 Sept 2026 deliberated on the proposed geographic expansion of the food security project, which would extend its coverage to additional regions and communities. The committee also tackled proposed amendments to several infrastructure projects expected to enhance connectivity by enabling faster and more reliable travel across different parts of the country.

“In reviewing project proposals, the ICC-CC assesses their relevance, financial viability, and alignment with national development priorities to help ensure the effective use of public resources and development assistance,” the department said. “Projects endorsed by the committee are then elevated to the Economy and Development Council, chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., for final approval,” it added.

Earlier this year, DEPDev said it would prioritise new projects in the social sector and slow down a bit on new infrastructure projects next year following the country’s graduation to upper-middle income status.

Separately, the department said that Economy Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan and Japan International Cooperation Agency Chief Representative to the Philippines Takashi Baba signed the grant agreement for the Project for the Human Resource Development Scholarship. The agreement formalises the implementation of the scholarship program for the 25th Batch of Fellows for Academic Years 2027-2028.

The program will support a maximum of 19 fellows per batch from Japanese fiscal year 2026 to 2028, with each batch comprising 16 slots for master’s programs and three doctoral programs. Since 2002, the project has already supported 479 fellows from various government agencies.