MOU on implementation of expanded anti-hunger program inked

File: The hunger incidence in the quarter of 2019 was down by 0.8 percentage point from the 10 percent or an estimated 2.5 million Filipino families registered in June this year. (caremin.com)

MANILA — The memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the implementation of the Enhanced Partnership against Hunger and Government Program (EPAPH), the Duterte administration’s main initiative to fight hunger nationwide, has been signed, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said on Tuesday.

In a press statement, Nograles said the memorandum was inked at Malacañan Palace on Monday.

“MOU on the implementation of the EPAHP program, the government’s main initiative to combat hunger and malnutrition (is) now signed,” Nograles, chairman of the EPAHP steering committee, said.

President Rodrigo Duterte approved the EPAPH during the 42nd Cabinet meeting at Malacañan on October 11. It seeks to involve more state departments that will work closely to eradicate hunger in the country by 2030.

The EPAPH added more members to its original agency members, which include the Department of Agriculture, the Department Agrarian Reform, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The other agencies that are now part of the EPAPH are the departments of Education, Health, Local Government, and Science; the National Nutrition Council, the National Youth Commission, and Landbank of the Philippines.

Present during the signing of MOU were Secretaries Rolando Bautista (Social Welfare), Eduardo Año (Local Government), William Dar (Agriculture), John Castriciones (Agrarian Reform), Francisco Duque III (Health), Ramon Lopez (Trade), and Leonor Briones (Education).

Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Secretary Isidro Lapeña , National Anti-Poverty Commission Secretary Noel Felongco, National Irrigation Administration Administrator Ricardo Visaya, Landbank chief executive officer and president Cecilia Borromeo also witnessed the signing.

Also in attendance were Science Undersecretary Brenda Manzano, Commission on Population deputy executive director Lolito Tacardon, National Nutrition Council executive director Azucena Dayanghirang, United Nations World Food Program Deputy Country Director Mats Persson and UN Food and Agriculture Organization officer-in-charge Tamara Palis-Duran.

The number of Filipino families who experienced “involuntary” hunger from July to September 2019 period fell to 9.1 percent or an estimated 2.3 million, according to the September 27 to 30 survey conducted by pollster Social Weather Stations (SWS).

The hunger incidence in the quarter of 2019 was down by 0.8 percentage point from the 10 percent or an estimated 2.5 million Filipino families registered in June this year.

Under the EPAPH, priority programs include provisions for the institutional feeding programs; credit support to community-based organizations; and capacity-building and productivity improvement for community-based organizations.

The EPAPH also aims to push for nutrition education; establishment of agricultural facilities and technologies, food hubs, and other infrastructure facilities; mobilization of funding, technical and research assistance from development local partners; and advocacy and education.

In July, Nograles said the same “whole-of-government” approach that has been proven effective in other government initiatives will be adopted and applied to address hunger.

On Oct. 24, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar said while the government’s anti-hunger efforts are working, it would continue implementing programs aimed at addressing both poverty and hunger.