Sunday, February 1, 2009

Government to spend  billions of pesos to fight hunger BY MAR ARGUELLES

LEGAZPI CITY---Alarmed by the increasing incidence of hunger across the country, government will be infusing billions of funds to accelerate hunger-mitigation programs to ease the impact of  this social problem.

The National Nutrition Council (NNC) in Bicol said an all out drive to cut hunger incidence by half under the Accelerated Hunger Mitigation Progrqam (AHMP) will be pursued specifically in Bicol  considered as among the food poor areas in the country.

Arlene Reario, NNC Bicol program coordinator quoting a  2008 Social Weather Station (SWS) survey  on hunger incidence in the country indicated that many Filipinos experience Hunger.

The study revealed that 4.3 million families or 23.7 percent of the total number of families in the Philippines experience hunger, of which 940,000 or 5.2 per cent are in sever hunger; while 3.3 million families or 18.5 per cent are in moderate hunger.

In Luzon where Bicol is part  topography showed that 20 per cent of the families are in the state of hunger.

The NNC report said  of the 81 provinces in the country, 49 provinces were considered food insecure.

In Bicol  priority program of the AHMP are in the provinces of Masbate and Camarines Norte, considered as “food poor” provinces;  second priority (poorest provinces)  is the province of Camarines Sur;  while the third priority  (provinces with existing hunger mitigation programs) are |Albay, Sorsogon and Catanduanes.

These areas in Bicol are considered by the NNC as places where malnutrition and hunger incidences are high due to poverty.

Reario at a media forum on Friday said  to eradicate all forms of hunger, the government thru the AHMP would address this problem on a two pronged scenario,  on the supply and demand sides.

On the supply side, measures are along producing more food and efficient  delivery of  food to whom and where it is needed. While, on the demand side, interventions are along putting more money in people’s pockets, promoting good nutrition and managing population levels.

FEED THE CHILDREN. This is one of the captured scenes in the feeding activities being conducted by the provincial and city governments for the kindergarten pupils in Albay.

She said the AHMP once implemented efficiently this mitigation program would address hunger.

Reario said “people go hungry because they do not have food to eat or it is insufficient and they do not have money to buy food.”

The program would be a component of the pump-priming strategy of government which seeks to generate investments, create jobs and provide basic services to poor families.

The AHMP realizes that every individual  has the right to adequate food. Thus, it is the responsibility of the government to ensure the food security of the people.

She pointed out that in areas where hunger is prevalent, it is also  a development issue hindering economic growth and keeping millions trapped in poverty.

Reario said currently the agency  under the AHMP had two major componenets the “Food for School” program and ”Tindahan Natin.”

Food for  School Program involves the provision of one kilo of iron-fortified  rice daily for 120 days to families who suffer from sever hunger through preschool  and elementary school students.

Tindahan Natin ensures availability of basic commodities at lower prices for poor families.

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