ALBAY 3rd District Representative Raymond Adrian Salceda is reportedly being considered by House leadership to chair the House Special Committee on Food Security, a move that aligns with his consistent advocacy for agricultural reform and food system resilience.
Salceda, one of the lower chamber’s more proactive freshmen lawmakers, is the principal author of two key food-related bills—House Bill No. 54, which seeks to amend the powers of the National Food Authority (NFA), and House Bill No. 2336, which proposes amendments to the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act. Both measures are among the legislative priorities of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Salceda’s push for these reforms is grounded in on-the-ground realities. He has flagged disbursement bottlenecks and inefficiencies in implementing the coconut trust fund, citing the need to maximize its benefits for millions of smallholder coconut farmers.
Ahead of the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), Salceda also voiced concern over the persistent food security and climate-related challenges faced by coastal and rural communities in his district.
He urged the national government to prioritize local food production systems, citing the vulnerability of areas like 3rd District Albay to extreme weather events and agricultural instability.
Grassroots Experience and Award-Winning Governance
Salceda’s track record on food and agriculture policy extends beyond Congress. Before becoming a legislator, he served as mayor of Polangui, Albay, a municipality that was recently recognized with the 2025 Gawad Saka Award as the Outstanding Municipal LGU in Agriculture—a national accolade that reflects his deep engagement with grassroots food systems and sustainable farming initiatives.
If appointed, Salceda is expected to lead the food security panel with a blend of legislative focus and field-based experience—qualities seen as essential in addressing national issues such as food inflation, agricultural productivity, and disaster-resilient farming.
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