PBBM reorganizes task force on zero hunger

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

FIGHTING HUNGER. Accredited retailers of the Walang Gutom: Food Stamp Program join its launch in Victorias City, Negros Occidental on July 22, 2024. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has issued Executive Order 66, made public on Friday (Aug. 9, 2024), reorganizing the Inter-Agency Task Force on Zero Hunger to ensure the continuous and effective implementation of the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger Program. (Photo courtesy of Victorias City Information Office)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has reorganized the Inter-Agency Task Force on Zero Hunger to ensure the continuous and effective implementation of the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger Program (EPAHP).

Under Executive Order (EO) 66 inked by Marcos on Aug. 6 and first published in a local daily on Friday, the new members of the Task Force on Zero Hunger include the secretaries of the Department of Health, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Presidential Communications Office.

The director general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority will also join as a member of the task force, according to the new EO.

EO 66 repeals EO 27 issued in 2023, which creates the Task Force on Hunger Zero.

The representative of the Office of the President, who was among the members of the task force under EO 27, was removed from the new list of members.

“The Task Force on Zero Hunger members may designate an alternate to represent their respective offices in their absence.

Such alternate must be fully authorized to decide for and on behalf of the Task Force on Zero Hunger member,” EO 66 read.

“As may be necessary and upon the approval of the President and/or the Executive Secretary, the Task Force on Zero Hunger is hereby authorized to further reorganize its composition, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations.”

EO 66 mandates the Task Force on Zero Hunger to ensure that government policies, initiatives, and projects on attaining zero hunger will be coordinated, responsive, and effective.

On April 19, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin issued Memorandum Circular 47, directing all government agencies and local government units to support the implementation of the EPAHP to ensure food security and proper nutrition.

The EPAHP is one of the banner programs of the Task Force on Zero Hunger aimed at institutionalizing efforts to mitigate hunger and promote food and nutrition security by linking community-based organizations to prospective markets and providing credit assistance to support food production, processing, and distribution.

EO 66 takes effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.