The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) paid tribute to the efforts of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in alleviating the plight of families which suffer from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It lauded the three major convergence projects being implemented by the DSWD under the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) program.
These projects are the EPAHP Resettlement Support, Gatasang Kalabaw Pilot Project, and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program’s (4Ps) Gulayan sa Pamayanan.
The DSWD had signed a memorandum of agreement with the National Anti-Poverty Commission, National Housing Authority, Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, and Commission on Population and Development for the implementation of the projects.
In a statement issued on Friday, Nov. 5, the CHR – through Spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia – said:
"Alleviating poverty is one of the key steps to ensuring a life of quality and dignity for the impoverished sectors. The CHR recognizes the efforts of the DSWD and its partner agencies to continually address poverty and hunger through holistic, intergovernmental approach.
"It is notable that each program under EPAHP is tailor-fitted to specific underprivileged sectors. This helps ensure that the interventions genuinely respond to their specific situation and are appropriate to their context and background.”
For low-income households in resettlement areas, the EPAHP Resettlement Support aims to provide a source of income to improve their capacity to afford food and other basic needs.
For farmers and members of community-based organizations, the Kabuhayan sa Gatasang Kalabaw will provide them with additional income by increasing the volume of locally produced milk that can be supplied to the National Feeding Program.
For 4Ps households in the National Capital Region, the 4Ps Gulayan sa Pamayanan is designed to provide immediate healthy food source and livelihood while nurturing bayanihan spirit in the community.
The CHR also said:
"During this period of health and economic crisis, aggressive efforts to support families who fell deeper into the poverty cannot be overemphasized. The Commission recognizes and encourages continuous efforts to help empower poor Filipino families so they can meet their basic needs for health, food, nutrition, among others in these difficult times.
"We look forward to more sustained support and inclusive programs from the government that will enable impoverished individuals to rise above their conditions; actively contribute in the process of recovery; and, live a dignified and empowered life.”