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| (Image Source: Manila Bulletin/File Photo) |
The Philippine government, via Task Force Zero Hunger (TFZH) headed by Cabinet Secretary Carlo Nograles, and the private sector have joined forces to formally launch a new initiative which aims to fulfill the goal of one million fewer hungry Filipinos by the year 2022. "Lahat kasali, lahat kasalo" is literally the battlecry of the national, multisectoral anti-hunger movement "Pilipinas Kontra Gutom (PKG)".
The national government, private sector, non-government organizations and civil society groups are slated to work on various programs in fulfillment of the movement's goal in the coming months and beyond as PKG adopts a whole-of-nation approach to achieve its immediate and long-term goals of addressing involuntary hunger and malnutrition in the Philippines which has been an urgent concern given that millions of Filipino families are grappling with hunger. PKG plans to focus on key result areas of concern in order to organize sustainable initiatives for targeted beneficiaries that will address challenges with regard to food availability and accessibility, adequate nutrition and crisis assistance. These are consistent in the Zero Hunger roadmap outlined in the National Food Policy presented by the TFZH last January. PKG's initial programs will include the following:
● Farmer assistance: With the end in view of elevating farming as a dignified and sustainable profession, these projects aims to increase farmer income by as much as 20% within the year, and to double farmer productivity by 2025 via the expansion of value chain projects and logistics improvements.
● Sustainable nutrition programs: Projects that will collectively work to achieve zero undernourished Filipino children across all households by 2030 via a strategy that involves campaigns to promote proper breastfeeding, to address malnutrition, and to roll out nutritious meals for Filipino households.
● Disaster response: Private sector companies will work to revolutionize their disaster response in close partnership and coordination with the attached national agencies and local government units in order to streamline the private sector’s efforts to facilitate a prepared, synchronized, and targeted action flow for food security when crises strike.
● Food banking: This effort involves the initiation of food surplus assessments among food manufacturers, restaurants, supermarkets, and public markets in Metro Manila, with the food surplus from donors eventually allocated for distribution to those in need.
Since its organization and inception in November 2020, PKG has grown to a movement that involve more than 70 companies from the private sector, non-profit groups and various organizations. These include the following: private companies Aboitiz, AXA, Bayer, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Cargill, Century Pacific Food, Inc., Coca-Cola, East West Seed, Dole Philippines, Harbest, JG Summit Holdings Inc., Johnson & Johnson Philippines, Jollibee Foods Corporation, Kraft Heinz, McDonald’s Philippines, Mega Global Corp. Metrobank, Mondelez, Nestlé Philippines, NutriAsia, Pilmico Foods Corporation, RFM Corporation, San Miguel Corporation, SM Supermalls, Unilever Philippines, Universal Robina Corporation (URC), Unilab, and Vitarich; organizations and industry associations AGREA, Go Negosyo, League of Corporation Foundations, Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), Philippine Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture (PPSA), Scaling Up Nutrition, Supply Chain Management Association of the Philippines (SCMAP), and UN Global Compact; non-government organizations and foundations ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, Aboitiz Foundation, Ayala Foundation, Caritas, Gawad Kalinga, GMA Kapuso Foundation, Jollibee Group Foundation, Kabisig ng Kalahi, Manila Water Foundation, Metrobank Foundation, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Project PEARLS, Rise Against Hunger Philippines, and Ronald McDonald House Charities; and digital and media partners Cobena Business Analytics and Strategy, Inc. Grab Philippines, GCash, PayMaya, Lazada, Shopee, Facebook, Google, TikTok, ABS-CBN, GMA Network, Business World, Manila Bulletin, Philippine Star, Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) and IKOT.PH.
Nograles thanked these companies and organizations for recognizing the importance of battling hunger and the commitment to work for a hungry-free Philippines. "Hunger is a silent enemy that can no longer be ignored; maraming apektado, at maraming kailangang tulungan. In our campaign against hunger, we should be all in, all out - anyone who can pitch in should help, and those who can help should go all out," shared Nograles. For more information on PKG's various programs and initiatives and for other companies and organizations interested to join and support the movement, visit pilipinaskontragutom.com.
