Gov’t, partners to address hunger; sustain food security

Introducing the ‘Lahat Kasali, Lahat Kasalo’ initiative, Nograles reiterated that hunger is one of the key priority areas of the government. (Shutterstock file photo)

MANILA – The Task Force Zero Hunger and its partners in the private sector and other non-profit organizations have promised to work together in addressing involuntary hunger and food security in the country under the Pilipinas Kontra Gutom movement.

Task Force Zero Hunger chairman and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles recognized the country’s challenges on food production, distribution, and accessibility as well as hidden hunger and malnutrition, and immediate food needed during times of crises.

“While the public-private partnership is drawing up how we could address the complex problem that is hunger and malnutrition, we can’t forget those who remain to be hungry today,” Nograles said on Wednesday.

Introducing the ‘Lahat Kasali, Lahat Kasalo’ initiative, Nograles reiterated that hunger is one of the key priority areas of the government.

Since the launch of the “Pilipinas Kontra Gutom” program in November, the Task Force Zero Hunger and its private partners have been collaborating with the local government units (LGUs) nationwide to distribute immediate reliefs for communities affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic and the recent typhoons.

The “Pilipinas Kontra Gutom” program is a multisectoral movement involving the government, the academe, non-profit organizations, private corporations, and the public, seeking to address issues related to involuntary hunger and food shortages during times of crises.

Nograles said the program allows all organizations, companies, and concerned groups to contribute to the government’s anti-hunger efforts which include supporting Filipino farmers and other food producers, advocating malnutrition, and providing relief assistance.

Nograles, meanwhile, thanked Pilipinas Kontra Gutom’s founding members from some of the country’s biggest corporations including Coca-Cola, Dole Philippines, J&J Philippines, McDonald’s, Metrobank, and San Miguel Corporation.

“We are grateful for the private sector members who are committed to provide aid to our fellow Filipinos, especially during times of crises,” he said.

Pilipinas Kontra Gutom movement has been providing warm meals for Filipinos in several parts of the country including Bacoor, Caloocan, Manila, Makati, Pasig, Marikina, Parañaque, San Juan, Taguig, Quezon City, Camarines Sur, Albay, Catanduanes, Tuguegarao, Pampanga and Las Piñas.

Under the movement, Nograles said the Inter-Agency Task Force on Zero Hunger aims to empower all food producers and boost their family income by helping them improve agricultural techniques and processes as well as supporting them in product marketing.

Meanwhile, the Unilever Philippines, RFM Corporation, DOLE Philippines, Century Pacific Food, Inc., and Lazada along with their partnered-NGO implementer Rise Against Hunger Philippines (RAHP) joined the zero hunger movement by introducing the “Noche Buena Para sa Lahat” project which targets to provide 100,000 Noche Buena meal kits to the Filipino families this Christmas holiday season.

On the other hand, some socio-civic organizations such as Gawad Kalinga and Kabisig ng Kalahi have tied up with the task force and aligned some of their programs with the Pilipinas Kontra Gutom movement’s cause.

By virtue of Executive Order 101, President Rodrigo Duterte has created the Inter-agency Task Force on Zero Hunger to assess, coordinate, and monitor government initiatives to ensure a whole-of-nation approach to eradicate hunger.

Pilipinas Kontra Gutom invites every Filipino to participate in the movement. People may visit www.laginghanda.gov.ph to join with the government’s efforts to achieve zero hunger in the country. Private corporations, non-profit organizations, and other civil society groups who would like to be part of the movement may send an email to [email protected].