Marcos signs joint circular vs hunger

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday vowed to ensure that no community would be left behind in the campaign against poverty as the government and international organizations signed a joint memorandum circular that aims to strengthen measures to curb hunger in the Philippines.

The circular, designed to boost convergence efforts on hunger and poverty, was presented to the President by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and members of the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty or EPAHP during a ceremony at Malacañang.

Signed by government officials and development partners, including the United Nations World Food Program and the Food and Agriculture Organization, the circular sets the guidelines for the partnership of state agencies, local governments and private partners to harmonize existing programs, activities and services.

“Here at the presentation of the signed Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty or 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 said.

“With the signing of this joint memorandum circular, we are bringing in a coalition of 34 partners – from national agencies to international organizations – each one committed to making zero hunger a reality in the Philippines,” he said.

According to Marcos, a 14-member steering committee led by the DSWD secretary would be created to ensure vital leadership, coordination, accountability and efficient enactment of the partnership’s measures.

As of May 2024, more than P200 million worth of sales and contracts between 122 community-based organizations and government feeding programs have been generated, he added.