CLARK FREEPORT – Pres. Arroyo ordered yesterday the creation of anti-hunger task forces at provincial levels nationwide, starting with the six most “food poor” provinces in Mindanao.
In her speech here before mayors from Mindanao who gathered here as a cluster of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), the President said her administration will continue to use “the biggest part of our resources for Mindanao” for poverty alleviation programs.
“I asked the National Nutrition Council (NNC) to create anti-hunger task forces in the provinces to strengthen cooperation of national and local governments to face problem of hunger in a more efficient and effective way. There are already task forces organized by NNC in Saranggani, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Maguindanao,” she said.
This, as she noted that six of the country’s most poor provinces are in Mindanao, as she named them as Tawi -tawi, Zamboanga del Norte, Maguindanao, Surigao del Norte , Dinagat Island and Lanao del Sur.
Under the category “most food poor”, six provinces, including some already considered most poor in the country were also cited by the President. These areas, also all in Mindanao, included Zamboanga del Norte, Tawi-Tawi, Agusan del Sur, Maguindanao, Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Island.
But in an interview with Punto, Health Sec. Armando Duque, who chairs the national Anti-Hunger Task Force, admitted no new funds will be used for the local level task forces.
He said the local task forces will monitor existing programs such as the food-for-school program already being done by the Department of Education.
“Except for minor adjustments, these are the same programs now being implemented but they will be enhanced by involving local officials, he said.
Duque said the provincial task forces will be headed by the governors, with mayors as his members.
In her speech here before mayors from Mindanao who gathered here as a cluster of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), the President said her administration will continue to use “the biggest part of our resources for Mindanao” for poverty alleviation programs.
“I asked the National Nutrition Council (NNC) to create anti-hunger task forces in the provinces to strengthen cooperation of national and local governments to face problem of hunger in a more efficient and effective way. There are already task forces organized by NNC in Saranggani, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Maguindanao,” she said.
This, as she noted that six of the country’s most poor provinces are in Mindanao, as she named them as Tawi -tawi, Zamboanga del Norte, Maguindanao, Surigao del Norte , Dinagat Island and Lanao del Sur.
Under the category “most food poor”, six provinces, including some already considered most poor in the country were also cited by the President. These areas, also all in Mindanao, included Zamboanga del Norte, Tawi-Tawi, Agusan del Sur, Maguindanao, Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Island.
But in an interview with Punto, Health Sec. Armando Duque, who chairs the national Anti-Hunger Task Force, admitted no new funds will be used for the local level task forces.
He said the local task forces will monitor existing programs such as the food-for-school program already being done by the Department of Education.
“Except for minor adjustments, these are the same programs now being implemented but they will be enhanced by involving local officials, he said.
Duque said the provincial task forces will be headed by the governors, with mayors as his members.
