|
THE
National Antipoverty Commission (NAPC) has identified
the 10 poorest provinces as well as the 10 poorest
communities in Metro Manila as a prelude to putting them
on top priority for the hunger-mitigating programs of
government.
The 10
poorest provinces are Zamboanga del Norte, Masbate,
Maguindanao, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte,
Mountain
Province, Lanao del Norte, Camarines Norte, Saranggani
and Zamboanga Sibugay. The 10 poorest communities in
Metro Manila are
Smokey Mountain, Parola,
Baseco, Payatas, Soldiers Resettlement in Taguig,
Pasay,
Pasig, Navotas, Malabon, and Bagong Silang in
Caloocan City.
The
Commission’s lead convenor Domingo F. Panganiban said
the P1 billion allotted by President Arroyo to combat
hunger will in part be focused on these 20 priority
areas with various government programs including school
feeding, daycare and feeding centers, and food for work.
“As
early as January, we have been conducting immersion and
consultations with residents of poor communities in
Metro Manila with a focus on uplifting their economic
conditions,” said Panganiban.
He said
the commission and the Luzon Urban Beltway conducted the
survey and that the Departments of Health, Education,
Agriculture, Social Welfare and Labor will be involved
in the programs.
They
will also coordinate with nongovernment organizations
and parishes in these priority areas for the effective
implementation of the hunger-mitigation programs. |
