A body that aims to eradicate hunger among the poor has asked the private sector and nongovernment organizations (NGOs) to join efforts to banish hunger in the Philippines.
“Hunger persists as a complex, multidimensional problem which we face as a nation. This movement calls on all organizations and each and every Filipino to help our fellow Filipinos. Lahat kasali, lahat kasalo. Everyone must be involved and everyone must contribute so everyone will be able to partake of a meal so we can end hunger together,” Task Force Zero Hunger chairman Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said.
At the moment, firms such as Coca-Cola Philippines, Johnson and Johnson Philippines Inc., Metrobank, Dole, Golden Arches Development Corp. and San Miguel Corp. were the initial members of the group called Pilipinas Kontra Gutom from the private sector.
Each of the said firms already have their own programs to reach out to the needy, but they pledged to support the said task force by helping produce or distribute at least 100,000 meals for the needy.
Nograles said they will also populate the group with some of the NGOs and that they are currently in talks with Gawad Kalinga and Kabisig ng Kalahi Inc.
The task force also called on organizations, companies and groups in the country to support the programs of the group, including a project for farmers and food producers; malnutrition advocacy for children as well as pregnant and lactating mothers; assistance through meal donations during a crisis, among others. These support the roadmap to achieving zero hunger and the key result areas outlined in the National Food Policy.
Alarmed over the spike in the number of hunger incidents in previous months, the government said last month that will look at further reopening the economy amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
During his presentation to President Duterte and members of the Cabinet on Monday, National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Acting Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua reported the effects of lockdown to the people.
“There was an increase in the number of hungry and malnourishment among the children. Because of this, he [Chua] urged the entire government to open up the economy and the importance of addressing the lack of transportation,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said.
Image credits: AP/Pat Roque