Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, together with private sector partners from Pilipinas Kontra Gutom, visited Camarines Sur on Friday, February 18, 2021, to distribute free food packs as part of the Duterte administration’s nationwide effort to fight hunger, poverty, and child malnutrition.
Camarines Sur is among 32 priority provinces included in the list of the Zero Hunger Task Force which Nograles heads. Pilipinas Kontra Gutom is composed of individuals and organizations from the private sector.
“We need a concerted effort both from the government and private sector stakeholders in addressing this pressing problem. That’s why we are partnering with Pilipinas Kontra Gutom.”
An estimated 4,000 individuals received free hot meals from Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC).
Nograles noted that the number of Filipinos experiencing hunger is increasing because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The negative effects on the economy include rising joblessness and increases in the prices of food items.
“We need a concerted effort both from the government and private sector stakeholders in addressing this pressing problem. That’s why we are partnering with Pilipinas Kontra Gutom. The participants in this initiative realize the urgency of the situation and desire to implement concrete and immediate solutions,” the Cabinet Secretary explained.
In San Vicente Sur, Iriga City, Nograles was joined by Governor Migz Villafuerte, Board Member Manny Noble, Iriga City Vice Mayor Rex Oliva. In Magarao, he was joined by Magarao Mayor Philip Salvador Señar, Vice Mayor Randy Villaralbo and Sangguniang Bayan members.
The free set meal packs included crispy chicken fillet, rice and bottled water prepared through the efforts of RMHC, McDonald’s Kindness Kitchen, Coca-Cola Philippines, Metrobank, San Miguel Corporation, and Dole Philippines.
“Our goal is to provide robust feeding programs for those 5 years old and below because that’s where physical growth and brain development is most crucial.”
Among the private sector attendees mostly from RMHC and McDonald’s were Alan Rañola, Owner Operator and Franchisee; Ronald Atanacio, Public Affairs Manager; Thoy Verdadero, Operations Consultant; Elmer Delen, RMHC Programs Assistant; Aila Noora, Restaurant Gen. Manager (RGM); Joan Verdadero (RGM); Ed Marasigan (RGM); Rez Familiara, Guest Exp. Manager (GEM); Donne Palenzuela, (GEM) and other corporate staff members.
Nograles emphasized the need to address the nutritional needs of children, stressing that “our goal is to provide robust feeding programs for those 5 years old and below because that’s where physical growth and brain development are most crucial. Conversely, that’s the age period where stunting is likely to happen.”
“We owe it to Filipino children that we do everything we can, from a policy formulation and implementation perspective, so that that they reach their full potential. We’re robbing them and the country of a good future if we fail our obligation to properly feed the youth.”