By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday renewed his administration’s commitment to fighting poverty and achieving zero hunger for Filipinos.
Speaking at the presentation of the signed Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) in Malacañang, Marcos directed all government agencies and urged local government units (LGUs) to support the EPAHP in order to ensure food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture.
The President said that through the EPAHP, the government can improve farm productivity, link food producers to larger markets, and provide them secure income.
“Today, we seal a very significant commitment that moves us closer to achieving our vision of a hunger-free nation… 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,” he said.
With the signing of the EPAHP JMC, at least 34 partners from national agencies to international organizations expressed their commitment to collaborate under the initiative in realizing zero hunger in the country.
The Chief Executive said engaging these partners “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.”
Marcos also thanked all program partners for their significant contributions to the program’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.
“Sa sama-sama nating pagkilos, darating din ang kinabukasan kung saan ang gutom ay isang malayong alaala na lamang,” he added.
In a statement, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the ceremonial signing of the EPAHP is a reflection of the President’s commitment to ensure food security and mitigate poverty in the Philippines.
“Consistent with the unrelenting commitment of our dear President to reduce poverty incidence to a single digit by 2028, coupled with his directive for a whole-of-government approach, our gathering today is proof that food security and poverty alleviation remain to be one of the top priorities of the Marcos administration,” Gatchalian pointed out.
“Let us continue to work hand in hand with determination and hope, knowing that our collective actions will make significant strides in eradicating hunger and poverty and will pave the way for a better tomorrow. Dahil sa isang Bagong Pilipinas, lahat tayo tulong-tulong sa pagtugon sa hamon ng buhay at sa pagpuksa sa kahirapan at kagutuman para sa bawat Pilipino,” he added.
The EPAHP Program, one of the banner programs of the Task Force on Zero Hunger, aims to bolster the convergence efforts of the government to combat hunger and reduce poverty nationwide.
The initiative is also a collaboration of several government agencies aiming to institutionalize efforts to mitigate hunger and promote food and nutrition security by linking community-based organizations to prospective markets, as well as providing credit assistance to support food production, processing, and distribution.
—av