MANILA -- Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles took time to highlight the government's agriculture and nutrition programs in the Zamboanga Peninsula at the time of the pandemic during the 12th holding of the Pamana: Regional Pre-SONA Series at Zamboanga City last July 8, 2021.

During the event, the Cab Sec was joined by PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar, CORDS for Region IX and DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista, PIA Director General and PCOO Usec Ramon Cualoping III, as well as DOH-Region IX Regional Director Dr. Joshua Brillantes who all served as resource speakers.

The Pre-SONA gathering was being conducted in various regions as part of preparations for the sixth and last State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte this coming July 2021.

Its main objective is to inform constitutents of the various achievements of the administration, including plans for the remainder of the President's term. The event also serves as an opportunity to report measures being undertaken to address the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic under the National Vaccination Deployment Plan (NVDP).

In his speech, Nograles, who also serves as Task Force on Zero Hunger head, laid out the various successful initiatives addressing hunger and malnutrition in Region IX, which were all part of the Duterte administration's "whole-of-government approach" under the National Food Policy.

"We're implementing a comprehensive roadmap to achieve zero hunger. We're particularly focused on collaborations with the private sector and groups such as Pilipinas Kontra Gutom (PKG) which share the same advocacy of ending poverty and malnutrition in both our cities and in the countryside," the Malacañang official explained.

"All Zamboanga Peninsula provinces are considered priority areas during the pandemic. We're prioritizing families and communities that need assistance most, knowing that that their nutritional requirements are foremost concerns during this health emergency."

The former Davao legislator and Mindanao development advocate encouraged more stakeholders and sectors to join the government's anti-hunger campaign, noting that "Kailangan natin magtulungan. We can be more effective in solving the country's problems if both government and the private sector act on shared, common goals, especially for undernourished children. Focusing on the needs of vulnerable sectors in Mindanao is indispensable to the area's development." (OCS)