LAGUNA – The Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) program of the National Irrigation Administration Region IV-A signed a memorandum of understanding with government agencies in line with the government’s initiative in addressing key challenges on social and economic growth, on Friday, Aug. 26, at Batangas Country Club in Batangas City.
The convergence program aims to employ a holistic approach to mitigate hunger, ensure food security and health and reduce poverty in the rural communities.
It was led by NIA Institutional Development division manager Dr. Leo L. Gallego and NIA-Region IV-A regional manager Engr. Wilson M. Lopez
Lopez said the signing was part of the national government’s commitment to the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in attaining ‘Ambisyon Natin 2040’ which is consistent with the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022’s goals of inclusive growth and poverty reduction.
Lopez added that the obligations of NIA with regard to the EPAHP program is to assist participating Irrigators Associations (IAs) in its production and timely delivery of food items required by the institutional feeding programs of the government.
As stipulated in the MOU, NIA will provide capacity building and organizational strengthening assistance to inter-agencies to enhance participation in the EPAHP, Lopez said.
“Isa itong paraan na magbubukas ng maraming oportunidad sa ating magsasaka para direkta sila maka-access sa merkado at maka-avail ng iba't ibang pondo para mas mapalago pa nila ang kanilang organisasyon (This is one way that will open plenty of opportunities for our farmers to directly gain access in the market and avail of funds and help their organization grow),” said Lopez.
Lopez said the program is supported by NIA Administrator Benny Antiporda, who, he said, wants the NIA to really help out our farmers.
Present during the interagency activity were representatives from Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Agriculture, Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Science and Technology, Department Trade and Industry, Technical Education Skills Development Authority, and Landbank.