TUBOD, Lanao del Norte (PIA) -- The provincial government signed a Regional Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the implementation of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP).

Gov. Imelda ‘Angging’ Quibranza-Dimaporo signed the MOU with DSWD to provide support in addressing issues of hunger and poverty in the region, particularly in Lanao del Norte, which is chosen to be one of the pilot provinces.

The governor emphasized the importance of collective action in addressing the complex issues of hunger and poverty.

"Indeed, the EPAHP, being one of the banner programs of our national line agencies, stands as a testament to this commitment. But even before the implementation of this program, we in the Provincial Government have always been working hand in hand with our key partners from the national line agencies like the DSWD to bring accessible and equitable government services to the people we serve," she said.

She also expressed hope that the EPAHP program, under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration, would be more than just a standard initiative, aiming for transformation to benefit all constituents, particularly farmers, fisherfolk, and marginalized sectors.

"For so long a time, ang atong mga farmer and fisherfolk muingon sila na naa silay produce, pero ma barat kung iadto na sa merkado, wala silay command sa presyo. With the EPAHP, ang ilang produce mo diretso na sa demand partners or consumers and maka-command sila sa presyo and ma alleviate ang ilang panginabuhi," DSWD-10 Regional Director Ramel F. Jamen said.

[For so long, our farmers and fisherfolk have been saying that they have produce, but it is cheap when they take it to the market; they have no command over the price. With the EPAHP, their produce will go directly to demand partners or consumers, allowing them to command the price and improve their livelihoods.]

Various key stakeholders, including Mayor Dionisio Cabahug Jr. of the municipality of Tubod, the capital town of Lanao del Norte, and Annabelle Mendez, head of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, attended the ceremonial signing. Moreover, representatives from the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices of different local government units and partner stakeholders from both private and public hospitals in the province graced the occasion, showing their commitment to the unified cause.

The primary objective of EPAHP is to alleviate hunger, bolster food and nutrition security, and diminish poverty across urban and rural areas, particularly among marginalized communities.

It aims to complement the national government's endeavors in combating hunger and poverty by fostering synergy and convergence among services provided by agencies such as the DSWD, Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Trade and Industry, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, National Irrigation Administration, Population Commission, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Cooperative Development Authority,  Agricultural Training Institute,  Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and National Nutrition Council and Land Bank.

The agreement aims to directly assist the province's most economically disadvantaged sectors. (PIO Lanao del Norte/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)