Hunger mitigation measures discussed
National Nutrition Council (NNC) Executive Director Marita Bernardita Flores said the government should strengthen its supply side and demand side to solve the hunger problem in the countryside.
Flores, who was in Iloilo Friday for the 18th Nutrition Congress awarding/recognition and culminating program said the solidification of the supply and demand side are two important hunger mitigation measures.
In the supply side, it calls for the increase of food production and enhance efficiency of logistics and food delivery. In the demand side, it needs to put more money in poor peoples pockets, promote good nutrition and manage population, said Flores.
In the food increasing production scheme, the program should include productivity programs for livestock, crops, marine regeneration (mangrove and coastal fishery development), farm family or the Gulayan ng Masa. The program should be initiated by the Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and National Irrigation Administration (NIA).
Under the enhance efficiency of logistics and food delivery, there should be Barangay Food Terminal and Tindahan Natin. The program should be implemented by DA, National Food Authority (NFA), and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
There should also be maximum use of private ports and shipping or RORO ports. The Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) should take in charge of this aspect.
The farm to market roads, efficient local transport, food for school, creation of non-government network to support feeding program and community tradeable rice certificates are also needed in the enhancement efficiency of logistics and food delivery.
Flores also said there should be responsible parenthood in management population. There should also be improvement in productivity of coconut based products such as coconut coir, virgin coconut oil and other value adding products and coconut net production.
A more aggressive micro-financing program, maximize employment opportunities in construction and maintenance of farm to market roads, irrigation and roadside maintenance and aggressive training from TESDA, DOLE, DSWD and CHED. There should also be upland distribution for jatropha and rubber, she suggested.
Government agencies such as Department of Health, NNC and local government units should conduct trainings, nutrition education in schools, promote exclusive breastfeeding, appropriate complementary feeding and increased consumption of vegetables, said Flores.