Cabinet secretary Karlo Nograles thanks the private sector partners in the Pilipinas Kontra Gutom movement. Photo courtesy of PIA-3
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — The national government has teamed up with the private sector for the Pilipinas Kontra Gutom movement.
It seeks to implement programs against hunger to make it more “bite-sized” or eradicated by 2030.
Cabinet secretary Karlo Nograles shared that in the recent Social Weather Stations survey, 7.6 million Filipino families are suffering from hunger in September 2020, the highest figure recorded since March 2012.
“Now that we are showing signs to fight against Covid-19, we are battling another. Hunger is truly a grave problem for our country. As we address the need of providing food in this trying time, we have to engage our food producers, lawmakers, and our people,” he emphasized.
Pilipinas Kontra Gutom has already distributed about 100,000 food packs focusing on children under 5 years old, pregnant or lactating women, and adolescents. It has also helped farmers in the distribution and marketing of agricultural products.
The movement is anchored on six key areas otherwise known as the 6As namely Availability which relates to food production, Accessibility or distribution of nutritious food, Adequacy which addresses hunger and ending malnutrition, Assistance against hunger on crisis and natural calamities, Accountability for environment advocacy, and Assessment related to the review of existing policies and rules.
“Food is a basic human right, and the lack of it for hunger is a violation of basic human rights. Each part of the society plays a role in achieving Zero Hunger such as the private sectors, the general public, and the government both at the national and local level,” he said.
The Philippines is currently ranked 69th among 117 countries on the 2020 global hunger index. — Jag Lyra D. Costamero/PIA–3
