The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has rallied behind the institutionalization of the National Food Policy by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Zero Hunger to resolve the decades-long problem of hunger and strengthen the country’s efforts to attain long-term food security. 

"The DSWD, as one of the vice chairmen, expresses its full support to the creation of this National Food Policy. The policy will reinforce and harmonize the efforts of the different member-agencies of the Task Force to create strategies and programs that will help end hunger, improve nutrition, achieve food security and promote sustainable agriculture in our country,” DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista said in his closing remarks during the virtual launch of the National Food Policy Document.  The event coincided with the first anniversary celebration of the IATF ZH.

The IATF ZH, chaired by Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles was formed through President Duterte’s issuance of Executive Order No. 101 on January 10, 2020. 

Bautista said the launch of the National Food Policy Document is timely, considering that the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed significantly to the increasing hunger incidence in the country. 

"Based on recent surveys, hunger incidence in the country escalated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This National Food Policy will also be instrumental in addressing this pressing problem,” he said. 

"It will be a reason for our kababayans to continue to hope for a zero hunger Philippines amidst the crisis and elicit behavorial change (in) every Filipino to be one with us  in fighting (against) hunger and in ensuring (proper) nutrition, food security, and sustainable agriculture across the country,” he added. 

Bautista underscored the need for the members of the IATF ZH, private sector, and development partners to work together to ensure that the National Food Policy will be fully carried out.

“A plan or a policy, though it may seem perfect, is nothing when it is not carried out accordingly. All of us in this task force must ensure that the actual implementation of the policies and projects, activities and programs identified under this National Food Policy must be delivered as envisioned,” he said. 

Sitting as members of the Task Force are Secretaries of the Departments of Agriculture, Agrarian Reform, Budget and Management, Education, Environment, Health, Labor and Employment, Interior and Local Government, Trade and Industry, Science and Technology, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO); Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA); and the Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Bautista also assured the public that the DSWD will continue to support the advocacy and programs of the Task Force by delivering special services to the poor, vulnerable and the disadvantaged sectors. 

“In addition, we wil continue to ensure the provision of quality, and immediate relief assistance to guarantee food stability during disasters and emergencies which is DSWD’s main responsibility as member of the Task Force. Let us continue to work together for a zero-hunger Philippines."