Manila, Oct. 15 -- With the Philippines continuing to grapple with hunger, a lawmaker on Wednesday called on Congress to pass a bill creating a national legal framework to ensure that Filipinos have easy access to adequate food.

House Bill No. 3125 or the Right to Adequate Food bill, which was filed by Abra Rep. Joseph Sto. Nino Bernos on Aug. 5, seeks to target zero hunger incidence in 10 years.

Within 10 years from the law's effectivity, land devoted to food production is increased to 50 percent of all prime agricultural land in every region.

The bill also mandates the considerable and steady increase in indicators such as percentage development of ancestral lands; percentage of rural population with access to productive means; share...