The Climate Change Commission (CCC) on Tuesday said educating Filipinos about urban agriculture could promote self-sufficiency amid inflation, marked by rising prices of basic commodities.

In a news release, CCC Commissioner Albert dela Cruz Sr. said it is important to conduct programs that develop food security through activities helping the public understand the significance of urban agriculture and self-sufficiency.

“Educating Filipinos about urban agriculture could somehow help assuage the hardships being experienced by most in the face of skyrocketing prices of agricultural products, particularly rice and vegetables common on the dinner table of majority of households,” Dela Cruz said.

Dela Cruz has been conducting forums on food security in partnership with the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Plant Industry as well as the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Cooperative Development Authority in different communities across the country in the recent months.

Analysts predicted an increase in upside risks connected to inflation.

Earlier, China Banking Corporation chief economist Domini Velasquez noted that despite inflation dropping in the past six months, there is still the possibility of a reversal as base effects could lead to August inflation matching or even topping the 4.7 percent recorded last month.

The downward trend was reportedly due to lower prices of housing, utility and fuel, food and alcoholic beverages and transport prices.

However, rice prices were increasing both in domestic and international markets, particularly following India’s decision to ban exports of non-basmati white rice, Velasquez said.

She added that emerging El Niño conditions and recent strong typhoons could also drive up domestic food prices.

Bank of the Philippine Islands senior economist Emilio Neri pointed out that importation is usually the immediate solution to rising consumer prices when there is a shortage of prime commodities supply, but this might become difficult if other countries are also affected by El Niño.

Some 200 residents from Barangay Calantas in Florida Blanca, Pampanga attended one of the forums, expressing their support for the government’s efforts in providing valuable information regarding the importance of climate action in response to the impacts of climate change and global warming, he said. (PNA)