Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles shared the various government programs aimed at reducing hunger during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic during the first Regional Pre-SONA series held at Butuan City on Thursday, April 15, 2021, with local chief executives from the Caraga Region and officials from the national government in attendance.
The Kasama sa Pamana: Regional Pre-SONA Series is the first in a list of activities that will culminate on the sixth and last State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte this coming July.
“Through this initiative, we inform the various regions and provinces of the administration’s accomplishments in the areas of poverty alleviation, nutrition supplementation and the fight against hunger during this health emergency.”
Nograles said the Office of the Cabinet Secretariat has closely coordinated with the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), chairpersons of the Cabinet Clusters, Cabinet members and the Office of the Executive Secretary for the Pamana series.
“Through this initiative, we inform the various regions and provinces of the administration’s accomplishments in the areas of poverty alleviation, nutrition supplementation and the fight against hunger during this health emergency,” the Malacañang official explained.
Nograles, who also chairs the Task Force Zero Hunger, enumerated the steps undertaken to ensure the successful implementation of various health and food programs.
Among the achievements mentioned were the banner Enhanced Program Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) program in various regions, as well as the launch of the National Food Policy, which served as the overall guide in the government’s fight against hunger.
“For instance, we pushed for the planting of the Adlay rice variety in Caraga as an alternative food and income source for farmers, indigenous peoples (IPs) and former rebels, and we covered Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) to comprehensively address hunger and poverty in the region.”
The former legislator further explained that the Task Force Zero Hunger’s crucial coordination with the private sector under the Pilipinas Kontra Gutom initiative has produced encouraging results that need to be sustained and expanded.
Nograles said the Office of the Cabinet Secretariat has closely coordinated with the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), chairpersons of the Cabinet Clusters, Cabinet members and the Office of the Executive Secretary for the Pamana series.
“We have achieved a lot, but of course this process is a continuining one. Hunger, malnutrition and food security are everyday concerns that’s why we need to address these problems both immediately and in the long-term. Kailangan natin magtulungan. We won’t stop. That’s our commitment to the Filipino people,” Nograles stated.