COTABATO CITY (PIA)--The National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) is stepping up its efforts in reaching out to national government agencies and local government units in the implementation of poverty alleviation programs for the basic sectors.

This came after the NAPC conducted on Thursday, March 31, a convergence forum dubbed as “Lanao del Sur and Maguindano Provincial Convergence for Poverty Reduction Forum” that aimed to mainstream at the provincial level the participation of the basic sectors in the formulation, implementation and monitoring of anti-poverty strategies and serve as a venue for coordination and collaboration between government agencies, local government units and the communities.

In her opening message, NAPC Undersecretary Penelope Belmonte recognized the collective efforts of the different sectors in uplifting the lives of the poor communities especially in Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur.

NAPC Dir. James Ceasar Ventura emphasized that the goal will not just end in the discussion, but eventually the local government partners will heed to the call of the basic sectors to change the policy or create a new policy to properly address the deficiencies.

Representatives from the Bangsamoro Regional Government, the Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao, and the basic sectors composed of the Provincial Consultative Assembly sectoral officers of Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao, and the NAPC sectoral representatives and council members were present during the activity.