TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Members of the provincial Accelerated Hunger Mitigation Program (AHMP) task force prepared an action plan aimed to mitigate hunger in the province and uplift the development status of the municipalities of Tanudan, Tinglayan, and Pasil — identified in the latest economic survey as among the poorest in the country. 

Chaired by Gov. Floydelia Diasen, front line agencies and offices signed a pledge of commitment to help mitigate hunger in the province. They declared their genuine commitment and duty to uphold the basic human right to food and good nutrition. Along with their pledge is their affirmation to achieve the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger in the province.

The task force targets to reduce subsistence incidence of population from 17.7 percent in 2000 to 8.85 percent and poverty incidence from 39.3 to 19.65 percent by 2015.

The AHMP is a flagship program of the Arroyo administration as a mitigating measure to reduce hunger pursuant to the MDG. Kalinga ranks no. 9 as a food poor province thus including it as a beneficiary of the AHMP under priority two.

The key players for the AHMP are grouped into five committees where offices of related tasks will work to increase food production, enhance efficiency of logistics and food delivery, put more money in poor people’s pockets, promote good nutrition, and manage population.

Under increase food production chaired by the Office on Agricultural Service, the group committed to implement the Gulayan sa Paaralan including the distribution of seeds to 236 elementary schools and 36 high schools and subsidies on certified seeds and fertilizer to farmers.

Under food distribution chaired by the National Food Authority with the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Department of Education will be the distribution of cheap rice; operation of Tindahan Natin Outlets, SEA-K, Kalahi-CIDDS, Pantawid Pampamilyang Pilipino Program, noodle feeding for 80 days in Magabbangon, Eleb, Allaguia, Malalao, Guilayon, and Butbut; and vita-meal feeding for below normal weight children.     

Department of Environment and Natural Resources has already distributed Sasou chicken to 50 poor families who are victims of typhoon Mina in Cawagayan and Mapaco in Pinukpuk. The Department of Public Works and Highways committed construction and rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads and MPPs and the food for work scheme. The National Irrigation Administration worked on the P42.5 million worth of communal irrigation system implemented in the province as its counterpart to AHMP.