MANILA-“Lahatkasali, lahatkasalo” 22 FEBRUARY 2021. This is the rally cry of the national, multi-sectoral anti-hunger campaign PilipinasKontraGutom (PKG), which was officially launched on Monday by government and private sector partners working together on different initiatives with a shared goal: 1 million less hungry Filipinos by 2022.
PKG is pursuing a nation-wide approach to achieving its immediate and long-term goals of combating involuntary hunger and malnutrition in the Philippines, with the help of the private sector, non-governmental organizations and civil society organizations, and spearheaded by the government’s Task Force Zero Hunger (TFZH), chaired by Cabinet Secretary KarloNograles.
Nograles, speaking at the virtual launch program of the PKG, thanked all the groups and organizations “that recognize the importance of fighting hunger and have committed themselves to working for a hunger-free Philippines.”
Starvation is a hidden foe that can no longer be ignored; maramingapektado, maramingkailangantulungan. We should be all in, all out in our fight against hunger—anyone who can chip in should contribute, and anyone who can help should go all out.’
The government partners present at the event include Mr. Mat Maderazo, representing the Secretary for Agriculture, Rodolfo Encabo, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Lope Santos, Director of the Department of Education, Jim Sampulna, Assistant Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources,Executive Director AzucenaDayanghirang of the National Nutrition Council, Undersecretary MarloIringan of the Interior and Local Government Department, Undersecretary Ruth Castelo of the Trade and Industry Department,Dr. Milflor Gonzales, Department of Food and Nutrition Research Institute of Science and Technology (DOST-FNRI), Assistant Secretary Florentino Loyola, Presidential Communications Operations Office, Assistant Director Cynthia Villena, National Economic and Development Authority, Director Mary Anne DelaVeqa, Budget and Management Department,Department of Labor and Welfare Chief Karen Trayvilla, Department of Health Assistant Secretary Nestor Santiago, PCOO Communication Services Bureau Dir. Ma. Ma. Florinda Princess E. Duque and Agrarian Reform Department Undersecretary Emily Padilla.
PKG has developed into a movement that includes about 70 partners from private businesses, non-profit organizations and different organizations since it was organized in November last year.
With private company joined like 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 and Mega Global Corp. are private companies. MondelezMetrobank,Pilmico Foods Corporation, RFM Corporation, Nestlé Philippines, NutriAsia, San Miguel Corporation, SM Supermalls, Unilever Philippines, Universal Robina Corporation (URC), Unilab, and Vitarich.AGREA, Go Negosyo, the League of Corporation Foundations, the Philippine Enterprise for Social Change (PBSP), the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), the Philippine Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture (PPSA), Scaling Up Nutrition, the Philippines Supply Chain Management Association (SCMAP) and the UN Global Compact are organisations and industry associations.
The non-government organizations and foundations that have also joined are ABS-CBN LingkodKapamilya Foundation, Aboitiz Foundation, Ayala Foundation, Caritas, GawadKalinga, GMA Kapuso Foundation, Jollibee Group Foundation, Kabisig ng Kalahi, Manila Water Foundation, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Project PEARLS, Rise against Hunger Philippines and Metrobank Foundation
PKG’s digital and media partners, on the other hand, include 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 mgaBrodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) and IKOT.PH.
Fighting hunger, one project at a time
PKG scheme on a larger outcome to do lasting initiatives for targeted recipients and will fight with this food availability and accessibility, adequate nutrition and crises assistance. These are persistent with the Zero Hunger roadmap outlined in the National Food Policy unveiled by TFZH last month.
PKG’s initial plan comprises of:
- Farmer assistance: With the aim of increasing farming as a noble and lasting profession. PKG wants to elevate farmer income by as much as 20% within the years and to double farmer productivity by 2025 via the expansion of value chain projects and logistics improvements.
- Sustainable nutrition programs: Projects that collectively aim to lower the undernourished Filipino children in all households this 2030 through a plan that includes a campaign to promote proper breastfeeding, to educate about malnutrition, and to roll out nutritious meals for Filipino families.
- Disaster response: Private sectors companies will help to transform 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 includes the commencement 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.
To help these campaigns, to give ideas about hunger and to ask for other companies and organizations to join PKG programs. PKG is going to set a public information drive campaign, to know more about the details you can access it through pilipinaskontragutom.com
