In August 2020 on the United Nations International Youth Day, SEARCA launched its "Young Forces for Agricultural Innovation (#Y4AGRI)" program, whose first activity was a "Youth COVIDeo Contest" that put a spotlight on Southeast Asian youth's local food production practices during the pandemic. The Top 10 finalists are featured below.
Position Paper to Help Provide Food for the Filipinos Now
On 28 March 2020, a "Position Paper to help provide food for Filipinos NOW" jointly signed by the Coalition for Agricultural Modernization of the Philippines (CAMP), Inc.; National Academy for Science and Technology (NAST), Philippines; and SEARCA was submitted to the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Philippines.
The Looming Food Crisis
Today, the nation is in a state of widespread confusion, fear, and feeling of helplessness in the face of the deepening threat from the COVID-19 virus. Adding to our worries is the justified sense of food insecurity. Farmers are afraid to leave their homes, traders are constrained, retailers have to pass through many checkpoints before they are finally turned away, markets have limited hours and some food items are scarce. We need an alternative and complementary food system that is decentralized, de-industrialized and local. Read more
Our Body: Our Last Line of Defense Against COVID-19
SEARCA joined the National Academy for Science and Technology (NAST), Philippines; Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), and the University of the Philippines Los Baños-Institute of Plant Breeding (UPLB-IPB) in producing a COVID-19 Advisory on "Our Body: Our last line of defense against COVID-19" publicized and distributed online.
SEARCA fabricated pedal-controlled faucets as a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. The hands-free operated faucet-and-sink units were donated to the Los Baños community, including its host institution, the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).
Read more:
SEARCA published stories on supporting food and agricultural systems during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide timely and credible information to its stakeholders and the general public.
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16 March 2021SEARCA Director appointed UN Food Systems Champion
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27 January 2021SEA photo winners highlight farmers amidst the pandemic
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18 November 2020SEARCA bats for transformative innovation amid pandemic
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15 October 2020SEARCA and GIZ promote climate leadership in ASEAN
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5 October 2020SEARCA announces youth COVIDeo contest winners
- 23 July 2020
SEARCA: Knowledge economy to boost food security
- 25 June 2020
'LGUs can mainstream urban agri'
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23 June 2020DA-BPI, SEARCA ink agreement on urban agriculture
- 14 May 2020
Searca: Rethink agri interventions
- 28 April 2020
Urban agri ‘new normal’
- 2 April 2020
SEARCA steps up home garden project
A safe and productive working environment have been SEARCA's utmost priority for its staff since the pandemic started. A Crisis Management Team was established to implement measures and protocols that minimize or eliminate the risk of COVID-19 infection, including:
Adoption of combination of Work-From-Home (WFH) and Flexi-time Arrangement of Skeleton Workforce, which excludes those belonging to vulnerable groups.
Provision of transportation services for Skeleton Workforce to and from the workplace. Drivers check passengers' temperature before boarding and only limited number of passengers allowed per vehicle for social distancing.
Mandatory body temperature checking using a thermal scanner at the entrance for all staff, agency personnel, guests and visitors. Disinfecting mat, alcohol dispenser and pedal-controlled faucets with soap are also provided as additional precaution.
Mandatory wearing of face mask and observance of physical distancing are required for all staff, agency personnel, guests and visitors at all times while on SEARCA premises. Signage placed in high traffic areas to encourage compliance.
Regular provision of health kits such as vitamins, face masks and shields, antibacterial wipes, and alcohol bottles for all staff.
Weekly cleaning / maintenance of air filters and more frequent disinfection of SEARCA workplace areas.
Compliance with Los Baños Municipal Ordinance requiring all establishments and offices to have a QR scanner as part of contract tracing.
