Alfredo Tolentino

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reinstated the government’s commitment to eradicating hunger and alleviating poverty with the signing of the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) that unifies national agencies and international organizations’ initiatives to promote food security and increased farming income.

Photo Courtesy of Presidential Communications Office/Inquirer.net.

In his speech during the circular presentation on October 28, Marcos emphasized the collaborative approach EPAPH offers to renew the promise of zero hunger and further ensured that all communities would benefit from the campaign against poverty.

“Here at the presentation of the signed (EPAHP) joint memorandum circular, we gather to renew a promise: that no Filipino should go to bed hungry and that no community will be overlooked in our fight against poverty,” Marcos stated.

The EPAHP program institutionalized efforts toward food and nutrition security by connecting community-based organizations (CBOs), like farmers and fisherfolk, to markets like government feeding programs that ensure appropriate food production, processing, and distribution.

“We unlock the potential to rise above poverty, particularly for our hardworking farmers. (It ensures) that our children… and our most vulnerable (sectors) have access to nutritious food,” Marcos added.

EPAHP began in 2016 when the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Agriculture (DA), and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) pioneered the program, which then expanded to unite 34 partners with harmonized projects and initiatives at present.

As of May 2024, EPAHP boasts PHP 207.45M in sales generated through multiple contracts with CBOs and feeding programs that support community income.

The program also achieved 239 implemented activities on negotiated procurement-community participation, which empowers agencies to purchase directly from farmers and fisherfolk cooperatives. 

It also began leveraging technology by partnering with the United Nations  Food and Agriculture Organization (UN FAO) to create a digital mapping system database that seamlessly links CBOs to feeding programs.

In April 2024, other government agencies and local government units (LGUs) are also directed by Memorandum Circular No. 47 to ensure that the EPAHP program can have a cohesive approach and a more impactful response to hunger and poverty nationwide.

To ensure leadership, coordination, and accountability in the EPAHP program, Marcos added that a 14-member steering committee will be established and headed by the DSWD secretary to facilitate quarterly monitoring and assessment of the program.

While Marcos admits that the country has yet to achieve zero hunger, he continues to applaud the efforts of the involved officials, agencies, and organizations by acknowledging their role in achieving zero hunger in the country.

“Sa sama-sama nating pagkilos darating din ang kinabukasan kung saan ang gutom ay isang malayong alaala nalang,” he concluded.