Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, head of the government’s Zero Hunger Task Force, led the holding of a strategic planning session with private sector stakeholders and organizers of Pilipinas Kontra Gutom (PKG) to concretize linkages and programs aimed at addressing hunger and malnutrition among Filipino children.
The session was attended by representatives of member agencies of the task force, and non-government program partners. Different “work streams” were formed last week, with the planning ending on Wednesday, January 27, 2021.
“Working closely with our partners, we were able to agree on specific goals and set up concrete roadmaps which we will implement this year as part of Pilipinas Kontra Gutom.”
Nograles, recently designated adviser of the Scaling Up Nutrition Network, expressed optimism about the Duterte administration’s anti-hunger initiatives.
“Our session and breakout groups were very productive. Working closely with our partners, we were able to agree on specific goals and set up concrete roadmaps which we will implement this year as part of Pilipinas Kontra Gutom,” the Malacañang official said.
The Cabinet Secretary added that the new collaborative outputs would build on government efforts at raising agricultural productivity and incomes of farmers, improve access to safe, nutritious, affordable food items particularly to marginalized families, and eradicate all forms of malnutrition.
“We are all answering the call to service. Our aims are noble, our need to act is urgent. The Duterte administration is full-blast in this zero hunger effort.
“Our continuing mantra in achieving responsive government service is meaningful partnership with stakeholders. There’s a symbiotic relationship because we learn from our friends in the private sector. We are able to supplement our proprams using shared best practices. Non-government stakeholders in turn get access to our wide nationwide network and implementation mechanism.”
“Kailangan natin magtulungan. Thinking and acting as one are the keys to successfully combating the threat of malnutrition and hunger,” the Cab Sec emphasized.
During the strat plan session, the former legislator drew commitments from attendees to vigorously continue pursuing their shared goals, and expressed gratitude to the participants for being “active food and hunger warriors.”
“We are all answering the call to service. Our aims are noble, our need to act is urgent. The Duterte administration is full-blast in this zero hunger effort. Let’s all make a positive difference this 2021 for the sake of our children and future generations,” Nograles stated.