President Marcos has directed all government agencies to support efforts mitigating hunger and promoting proper nutrition in the country.
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.
Through Memorandum Circular No. 47 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on April 19, Marcos ordered all government agencies and urged all local government units (LGUs) to support the implementation of the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) program.
“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,” the President said.
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.
Task Force Zero Hunger is tasked to ensure the effective implementation of the EPAHP Program, as it is mandated to carry out measures in coordination with the relevant government agencies.
It was established through Executive Order (EO) No. 10 s. 2020, as amended by EO 27 s. 2023.
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.