The Task Force Zero Hunger headed by Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, together with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and the National Nutrition Council (NNC), formally entered into various agreements with stakeholders in the Bicol region under the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) on Monday, April 26, 2021, to address the nutritional needs of farm workers and pregnant women.
Nograles, who also chairs the NIA Board, reported that “249 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs) which form part of our EPAHP programs have earned P148,863,818.80 in revenues as of December 2020.”
“Through Task Force Zero Hunger and its various partners from government and the private sector, we’re doing concrete efforts to realize our goal of #GoodbyeGutom.”
The EPAHP program, the banner initiative of the Task Force, aims to increase agricultural production and raise farmers’ incomes while at the same time addressing poverty and malnutrition, especially among pregnant women and children in rural areas.
“The MOUs and Marketing Agreements that we signed specifically target the interests of ARBOs and vulnerable sectors whose nutritional needs we need to urgently address. We accomplished this despite the challenges posed by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, making the most of the whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach of the Task Force,” the Malacanang official noted.
Task Force Zero Hunger first held its EPAHP event in the Bicol region last December 11, 2019, partnering with local ARBOs and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).
Task Force Zero Hunger first held its EPAHP event in the Bicol region last December 11, 2019, partnering with local ARBOs and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). The recent second round of implementation included the NNC as a key agency for the “Tutok Kainan” National Dietary Supplementation Program.
Apart from the Cabinet Secretariat, those who attended the virtual EPAHP MOU Signing and Launching included DAR Secretary John Castriciones, Undersecretary for Support Services Atty. Emily Padilla, Undersecretary for Policy, Planning, and Research Office Virginia Orogo, Assistant Secretary Milabel Cristobal, DAR Regional Director Rodrigo Realubit, NNC Executive Director Azucena Dayanghirang, Regional Program Coordinator Arlene Reario, DAR Provincial Officers from Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Cataduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon, and represenatives from ARBOs ang groups of pregnant women.
The Cabinet Secretary noted that from an initial three government agencies, they have expanded to include the DILG, DepEd, DOH, DOST, DTI, NAPC, NIA, TESDA, PopCom, LANDBANK, Philippine Coconut Authority, National Dairy Authority, Philippine Carabao Center, DBP, DICT, CDA, BFAR, DBM, PCIC and the NFA. Technical support has been provided by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Program (WFP).
“Key government agencies, joined by private sector organizations and individual stakeholders are all joining the Tutok Kainan and National Dietary Supplementation initiatives. For instance, we’re all agreed that we must work together to address the nutritional needs of pregnant women and young children. Kailangan natin magtulungan. Our agri workers who produce our food also need assistance and encouragement,” the former legislator from Davao stressed.
“Through Task Force Zero Hunger and its various partners from government and the private sector, we’re doing concrete efforts to realize our goal of #GoodbyeGutom.”