DAVAO CITY- The Department of Social Welfare and Development Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) seeks to expand the community participation in feeding program to 18 municipalities in Davao Region.

The EPAHP last year piloted the modality of community participation through procurement under Republic Act 9184 Section 53.12 in five community-based organizations,

Of the five organizations, five are Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations and two are irrigator associations.

“This year gino-groom ngayon na 18 peoples organizations in Davao Region across the Davao Region,” says Angelie Rodriguez-Darilay Regional Coordinator of EPAHP.

These five organizations with their agricultural produce would supply the child minding centers located within the same community. These organizations are located in Davao Occidental, Davao del Norte, and Davao de Oro.

In Davao Occidental the members had a 13% increase in income, in Davao de Oro they recorded an increase of 13-20% in income.

Darilay said the success of the community organizations in the pilot project would mean an expansion of the program.

“Kasi nakikita natin na may increase of income and nakaka-augment sa pangangailangan ng ating poor local farmers,” Darilay said.

The EPAHP is an inter-agency program that is designed as one of the key strategies of the government in addressing concerns on hunger mitigation, food and nutrition insecurity and poverty reduction.

The original program in 2016 had the convergence of the DSWD, the Department of Agrarian Reform, and the Department of Agriculture. In 2019 the program was enhanced adding new partners, roles, and responsibilities. (PIA/RG Alama)