Malacañang’s Task Force on Zero Hunger and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) jointly launched the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) program in the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) during a virtual event at the NIA Region IV-A Training Center in Laguna last November 4, 2020.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, who also chairs the Task Force and heads the NIA Board, thanked the agency for successfully conducting 11 EPAHP program orientations in different regions in a matter of four months.
“Through EPAHP, our partner agencies are able to offer assistance to farmers and community-based organizations in the areas of market access, credit assistance, food production training and networking.”
“The orientations are important because they inform and actively engage our farmers in areas of food production and distribution.”
The online launching convergence meeting was attended by NIA Administrator General Ricardo Visaya (Ret.), Institutional Development Division Manager Dr. Leo Gallego, Regional Manager Engr. Romeo Lopez, Acting Division Manager EOD Engr. Erwin Lucela, EPAHP NPMO/DSWD National Program Director Restituto Macuto, Kimberly Quiacos of DTI – Development Specialist CARP, Lina Alcantara of DTI – Division Chief Business Devt. Division, TESDA – Laguna Provincial Director Pascual Arriola, DA – Director Clint Hassan, Laguna Provincial Agriculturist Marlon Tobias, JO2 Maria Josephine B. Maquiling of BJMP, LBP Asst. VP Joel Babaan (Quezon Landbank Quezon Lending Center), LBP Dept. Manager John Axel Melendres, LBP Account Officer Edwin Umali (Landbank Lending Center Cavite), Naic, Cavite Mayor Junio Dulaan, Maragondon, Cavite Mayor Reynaldo Rillo, Padre Garcia, Batangas Mayor Celsa Rivera, Lamberto Bambao of LGU Ternate, Cavite, officers and members of 19 Federations and Irrigators Associations from the Cavite-Batangas Irrigations Management Office, as well as other reps from national and regional government offices.
The EPAHP program aims to increase agricultural production, augment the incomes of farmers and various agri sector workers, ensure food security and directly address the twin issues of hunger and poverty.
“Through EPAHP, our partner agencies are able to offer assistance to farmers and community-based organizations in the areas of market access, credit assistance, food production training, and networking,” Nograles said.
The program is tied to the Sustainable Development Goals, the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 and related issuances of President Rodrigo Duterte, which are all aimed at reducing poverty incidence to 14% before his term ends.
“One of the advantages of EPAHP is that we are able to link small farmers and fisherfolk organizations with national government agencies and LGUs so they can directly supply agricultural products to support government feeding programs, as part of our Zero Hunger Initiatives.”
“One of the advantages of EPAHP is that we are able to link small farmers and fisherfolk organizations with national government agencies and LGUs so they can directly supply agricultural products to support government feeding programs, as part of our Zero Hunger Initiatives,” Nograles explained.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, EPAHP enjoys the full support and participation of the National Nutrition Council (NNC), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), Commission on Population and Development (PopCom), Landbank of the Philippines, Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), National Dairy Authority (NDA), Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT).
“We are strongly encouraged by the eagerness of all stakeholders, especially farmers’ groups and Irrigators Associations. The participants are also addressing both the demand and support sides of the program. Our immediate thrust is to help increase farm production and keep a steady food supply that is easily accessible and distributable. Without these, we cannot effectively address hunger.”