President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has called for a whole-of-government approach to ensure food security and proper nutrition in a bid to promote zero hunger and nutrition security in the Philippines under the administration’s Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.
In a two-page Memorandum Circular No. 47 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on April 19, President Marcos directed all government agencies and urged all local government units (LGUs) to support the implementation of the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) program.
The EPAHP is one of the banner programs of the Task Force on Zero Hunger, which aims to institutionalize efforts to mitigate hunger and promote food and nutrition security by linking Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to prospective markets and providing credit assistance to support food production, processing and distribution.
“It is imperative for all government agencies and instrumentalities to support the continues and effective implementation of the EPAHP Program to bolster government efforts towards attaining zero hunger, food and nutrition security, and sustainable agriculture,” President Marcos said.
The Task Force Hunger, established through Executive Order (EO) No. 10 s. 2020, as amended by EO 27 s. 2023, is directed to ensure the continued and effective implementation of the EPAHP Program, as it is mandated to carry out measures in coordination with the relevant government agencies.
The measures include efforts to strengthen institutional feeding programs of partner agencies; extend credit assistance to support food production, processing and distribution in partnership with government financial intuitions; and link participating CBOs to prospective markets.
The task force is also mandated to enhance provision of farm production technologies and extension of services to government-assisted family farms and rural based-organizations, as well as enhancing the sustainability of the EPAHP Program through implementation of policies that will engage private sector, and institutionalize mechanisms in LGUs.
It is also directed to adopt Community Participation Procurement to encourage CBOs to participate in the EPAHP Program, and construct, repair and improve irrigation facilities and appurtenant structures in irrigable areas in the countryside.
A copy of the MC 47, which takes effect immediately, is available on the Official Gazette. PND
