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GOV’T HIKES FARMERS’ INCOME AMID VIRUS – NOGRALES

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles on Wednesday enumerated several ongoing government anti-hunger initiatives in the run-up to the unveiling of the National Food Policy (NFP) in October.

According to Nograles, while the government remains focused on addressing the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, it continues to pursue several programs aimed at addressing hunger.

Nograles pointed out: “While COVID-19 presents a public health threat that requires the full attention of government, this did not and will not stop us from addressing other urgent concerns; una na po dito ang kagutuman.”

“While COVID-19 presents a public health threat that requires the full attention of government, this did not and will not stop us from addressing other urgent concerns; una na po dito ang kagutuman.”

“The fight to end hunger necessitates convergence. One concrete example of such is Task Force Zero Hunger’s banner program: the Enhanced Partnership against Hunger and Poverty or EPAHP,” the former legislator said.

EPAHP, according to the Cabinet Secretary, aims to increase farm productivity and income of farmers and fisherfolk, ensure food and nutrition security, and mitigate hunger by linking farmers/fisherfolk organizations to the institutional feeding programs of government.

“EPAHP aims to increase farm productivity and income of farmers and fisherfolk, ensure food and nutrition security, and mitigate hunger by linking farmers/fisherfolk organizations to the institutional feeding programs of government.”

The program ensures that community-based farmer organizations have ready buyers of their produce.

Under EPAHP, the School-Based Feeding Program under DepEd, the Supplemental Feeding Program for DSWD child development centers, patients confined in DOH or government-run hospitals and detainees fed in jails under the DILG-BJMP will be supplied directly with fresh products from local farmers and fisherfolk. EPAHP also facilitates the provision of support programs and services from partner agencies including TESDA, NIA, DOST, DTI, DA, and Landbank. All 19 partner agencies have committed to making EPAHP work.

Among other initiatives outlined by Nograles is the Kasapatan at Ugnayan ng Mamamayan sa Akmang Pagkain At Nutrisyon (KUMAIN) Webinar Series, which is an activity jointly implemented with IATF-Zero Hunger members.  The Series kicked off last week, September 16, with the Department of Trade and Industry and the participation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the National Nutrition Council’s Scaling Up Nutrition Business Network, other government agencies and private sector partners.

“We want to assure everyone that though this virus has forced us to tighten even more the way we in government do things,  this does not mean we are not getting the other important things done. Tuloy-tuloy po ang trabaho, tuloy-tuloy po ang pagtutok natin sa mandato natin bilang pinuno ng Zero Hunger Task Force.”

The government is slated to roll out the NFP on World Food Day, which is commemorated every year on October 16.

The NFP will identify national priorities “based on a comprehensive understanding of the problem of hunger and related issues, and shall provide a roadmap for achieving zero hunger, taking into consideration existing laws and issuances.”

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