“The KUMAIN webinar series is one of the interventions of the Task Force on Zero Hunger and is meant to ensure coordination among stakeholders and partner agencies for the proper implementation of our various feeding programs.”
This was the statement of Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles in a radio interview this week, where he detailed the objectives of the webinar series, which the Task Force will launch on September 16.
“We need to improve coordination to be able to meet the challenges posed by hunger and poverty, especially in the countryside.”
The launching of KUMAIN, or short for Kasapatan at Ugnayan ng Mamamayan sa Akmang Pagkain At Nutrisyon, will be attended by Usec. Blesilda Lantayona of the Department of Trade and Industry, Executive Director Azucena Dayanghirang of the National Nutrition Council, Mr. Jaypy De Juan of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute – Department of Science and Technology, Dir. Jerry Clavesillas of the DTI, Mr. Rocky Doctor of Nutridense Food Manufacturing Corporation, as well as representatives from Task Force partner agencies Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Health, the Department of Education and various stakeholders.
The primary aim of the webinar series is to encourage the participation of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), local government units (LGUs), private companies, civil society organizations, and State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in order to involve and motivate them as partners in combatting hunger in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Goal No. 2.
“On account of the limited number of technology adaptors at present, the Task Force on Zero Hunger has decided to ramp up promotional activities aimed at introducing and popularizing the use of food products and technologies to as many stakeholders as possible,” explained the Cabinet Secretary.
It is expected that the increased cooperation among participants will spur the creation of new strategies that address hunger, among which are the following: (1) build on know-how by target actors of the objective of Task Force on Zero Hunger; (2) improve information of food and nutrition implementors on new technologies launched by DOST-FNRI on food fortification; (3) pinpoint pilot areas for linkages between EPAHP and FNRI adaptors for the roll-out of First 1000 Days programs, Supplementary Feeding Programs and School-Based Feeding Programs all over the country.
“We consider all options and program possibilities because we want to build a solid policy foundation for a strong, healthy and well-fed population.”
“We consider all options and program possibilities because we want to build a solid policy foundation for a strong, healthy and well-fed population. We need to improve coordination to be able to meet the challenges posed by hunger and poverty, especially in the countryside,” noted the Malacañang official and former legislator from Davao.
For the KUMAIN launching, a Modified Open Forum will also be held. It will give agencies a chance to immediately respond to questions.
At the end of each webinar, there would be a ceremonial signing of a Manifesto among the partner agencies, stakeholders and participants in order to strengthen the commitment to end hunger all over the country.