An opinion article in Philstar Biz argues that agricultural devolution under the Local Government Code has been a failure, severely hampering Philippine agricultural productivity over the past 30 years.
The piece points to the inability of local government units to take on technical support for farmers as a key shortcoming, leading to persistent food insecurity in the country.
Critics say the lack of capacity and resources at the local level has left farmers without the needed extension services, stunting agricultural growth and modernization.