PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. renewed his commitment to achieving zero hunger for Filipinos.
The President renewed his commitment during the presentation of the signed Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) Joint Memorandum Circular on Monday.
“We gather to renew a promise: that no Filipino should go to bed hungry, and that no community will be overlooked in our fight against poverty,” the President said in his speech in Malacañang.
In light of this commitment, the President directed all government agencies and urged local government units (LGUs) to support the EPAHP for an accelerated approach to achieving zero hunger, food and nutrition security, and sustainable agriculture.
“Through this, we can improve farm productivity, link farmers, fisherfolk, other food producers to larger markets, provide secure income—ensuring that our children, our mothers, our most vulnerable have access to nutritious food,” the President said.
With the signing of the EPAHP Joint Memorandum Circular, 34 partners from national agencies to international organizations committed to realizing zero hunger in the Philippines. They will all collaborate under this initiative, according to President Marcos.
He said that engaging them “to supply food items under the Supplementary Feeding Program, which underscores a partnership that goes beyond business—it is a true lifeline for our farmers and for our communities.”
The President made reference to the “heartfelt sentiments of various federations of Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations or SLPAs in Davao de Oro.”
The President also highlighted the partnership’s core approach, which includes providing credit, insurance, and assistance, as well as connecting community-based organizations (CBOs) to government feeding programs and broader markets.
As of May 2024, “more than 200 million pesos worth of sales and contracts between 122 CBOs and government feeding programs” have been generated through the strengthening of the said CBOs, the President said.
The President said a 14-member EPAHP Steering Committee will be formed to be chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). It will be formed to ensure vital leadership, coordination, and accountability, as well as the uninterrupted and efficient enactment of the EPAHP measures.
President Marcos thanked all program partners for their significant contributions to the initiative’s success.
“We have yet to achieve zero hunger. But your dedication to this mission assures me that we are all united in this effort, ready to build a better nation for all, especially for those who need it the most,” the President said.