Malnourished children in Nueva Ecija are now assured of quality food, as the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the National Nutrition Council (NNC) in Region 3 signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that would enable four agrarian reform organizations (ARBOs) in the area to supply their agricultural products to the “Tutok Kainan: Dietary Supplementation Program (DSP)” of the NNC.
“The DAR-NNC joint project is being implemented under the government’s Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty or EPAHP program to meet the regular food requirements of the nutritional needs of children aged 6 to 23 months in ten (10) municipalities of Nueva Ecija namely: Bongabon, Cuyapo, Gen. Mamerto Natividad, Laur, Pantabangan, Quezon, San Isidro, Sta. Rosa, Talavera, and Zaragoza to prevent stunting by improving their diet,” DAR-Nueva Ecija Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Eden B. Ponio said.
Ponio said that DAR Nueva Ecija’s EPAHP links up with other government agencies in a collective effort to fight hunger and at the same time encourage food production and livelihood programs.
She added that the EPAHP is the banner program of the Task Force on Zero Hunger headed by Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles.
She disclosed that the program specifically targets 6-23 months old children to prevent child stunting in the first two years of life or the period referred to as the First 1000 Days.
The chairperson of the 4 ARBOs – Dr. Leonilo S. Dela Cruz of Golden Beans and Grains Producers Cooperative; Renato C. Dela Cruz of Golden Harvest of Talavera MPC; Ernesto M. Palacio of Liberty Fisherman and Farmer’s Association; and Petronilo G. Ucol of Panabingan MPC expressed their full commitment of support to the marketing agreement to serve the community. (DAR) -rir
