(Eagle News)–President Bongbong Marcos called for a whole-of-government approach to ensure food security and proper nutrition in the country.
In the 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, established through Executive Order (EO) No. 10 s. 2020, as amended by EO 27 s. 2023.
It aims to institutionalize efforts to mitigate hunger and promote food and nutrition security by connecting Community Based Organizations (CBOs) with prospective markets and providing credit assistance in support of food production, processing and distribution.
To ensure the continued and effective implementation of the EPAHP Program, the task force is also mandated to carry out other specific measures in coordination with government agencies.
These measures include the strengthening of institutional feeding programs of partner agencies, the extension of credit assistance to support food production, and processing and distribution in partnership with government financial institutions.
It is also mandated to enhance the provision of farm production technologies and the extension of services to government-assisted family farms and rural based-organizations and to enhance the sustainability of the EPAHP Program through policies that will engage the private sector.
“It is imperative for all government agencies and instrumentalities to support the continuous 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.
