CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) -- Cabinet Secretary and Inter-Agency Task Force on Zero Hunger (IATF-ZH) Head Karlo Nograles highlighted the significant accomplishments in Central Luzon to end hunger and malnutrition under the Duterte administration. 

Specifically, Nograles cited the formulation of the National Food Policy to ensure a whole-of-government approach by laying out a comprehensive roadmap towards zero hunger and malnutrition. 

“As part of this framework, we are currently in the process of identifying priority legislation that will support our goals towards achieving zero-hunger and food security. These include our policies on urban agriculture and farming, food rescue programs, expanding the scope of our current national feeding programs, and promotion of breastfeeding,” he disclosed during the 8^th leg of the Kasama sa Pamana: Regional Pre-SONA Series which was held in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga.

He added that the task force also included policies to institutionalize the Tutok Kainan complementary feeding for nutritionally-at-risk pregnant women and stunted children under 2 years; institutionalize the Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Program; Zero Hunger Bill; institutionalize the Kalahi CIDSS program, and strengthen the National Nutrition Council and the Barangay Nutrition Scholar. 

IATF-ZH also launched the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) Program to help mitigate hunger, ensure food and nutrition security, and reduce poverty in urban and rural communities including marginal communities. 

Under this, the task force links farmers to different institutional buyers such as the local government units, jails, national government agencies, and hospitals for their feeding programs. 

“Just recently, the Task Force Zero Hunger, Department of Agrarian Reform Region 3, and National Nutrition Council signed an agreement under EPAHP to cater specifically to the nutritional needs of pregnant women and children,” he said. 

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, IATF-ZH provided policies and guidelines to continue to implement government programs and projects. 

About 128,574 youth ages five and below enrolled in Child Development Centers were given meals for the School Year 2020-2021; while Department of Education was able to provide 285,728 nutritious food products and 132,634 milk to elementary students. 

“During the community quarantine, Diskwento Caravan of  Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) served as an alternative to supermarkets and groceries. Here in  Central Luzon, DTI has conducted 27 runs serving about 105 barangays, covering about 11,138 households. 458 manufacturers participated, generating a total sales of P6,118,936.30 from June to December 20, 2020. This effort aims to ensure food accessibility and safety,” Nograles said.

He also reported that as of March 31, 2021, a total of 3,890 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) from Central Luzon were given farm productivity assistance; 105 under the livelihood for women in ARBs in crisis, and 14,820 ARBs received supplemental food packs and non-food items. 

“Programs like these help farmers and fisherfolks stay afloat by securing their income, while also ensuring that our people are likewise able to afford fresh and nutritious food which are easily accessible,” Nograles said. 

The government also increased the financial risk protection for agricultural producers to ensure sustainable food systems, resiliency, and food stability for emergencies.

Of the 585,940 insured farmers and fisherfolks who claimed indemnity amounting to P3.37 billion across the country due to the African Swine Fever, 13,014 were from Region 3, which amounts to P135.801 million.

“We also recorded a total of 146,707 families affected by typhoon Ulysses in the region who were given family food packs. In terms of COVID-19 relief assistance, a total of 132,890 family food packs were distributed in Central Luzon to affected families,” the official said. 

And lastly, the task force also strengthens its advocacy through the continuous conduct of webinars and trainings in partnership with different sectors with beneficiaries including farmers, fisher folks, indigenous peoples, uniformed personnel, and drug surrenderees among others. (CLJD/Marie Joy S. Carbungco-PIA 3)