NAPC inks MOAs with 19 LGUs in bid to halt poverty
BUTUAN
CITY -- The government’s coordinating agency against poverty on Tuesday signed
a milestone Memorandum of Agreements with 19 local government units in Mindanao
as part of a nationwide bid to take down poverty by 14 per cent in 2022.
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| Contributed photo |
“It is high time to cut down poverty if we are to lessen its impact on the lives of our people during the pandemic,” said Secretary Noel K. Felongco of the National Anti-Poverty Commission.
Felongco
signed the MOAs with the LGUs through a zoom conference hosted by the NAPC's
Mindanao field office under Augustus Tapia.
Mindanao
is host to 23 provinces listed among the country’s poorest provinces in terms
of poverty incidence among population.
Government
security forces tagged poverty in the island as a stimulus to insurgency.
Felongco described as very significant the MOAs entered with the 19 LGUS because “it provides us a deeper commitment and stronger partnership in eradicating poverty.”
The
NAPC lead convener said LGUs hold the key to ensuring that poverty-reduction
prioritizes land tillers and fisherfolk.
“Priority
should also focus on geographically-situated and disadvantaged areas (GSDA) so
that no one should be left behind,” he said.
He
said LGUs are in the best position to reduce poverty simply by channeling their
resources to programs aimed at uplifting the lives of people.
Poverty
reduction should be everybody’s business, he said.
Under
the MOAs, the LGUs will undertake the implementation of NAPC’s Sambayanihan
Serbisyong Sambayanan (3S) program that sought to address poverty in 40
priority provinces.
The
LGUs are obligated to help tap volunteers to ensure that government services
are uplifting the lives of the oppressed and the marginalized.
Republic
Act 8425 has mandated NAPC to coordinate with different national and local
government agencies to ensure full implementation of social reform and poverty
alleviation programs.
Those
who signed the MOAs representing their LGUs included Mayor Kerkhar S. Tan of
Jolo, Sulu; Mayor Abdulbaki J. Ajibon of Omar, Surlu; Mayor Nurshamier A Halun
of Kalingalan Caluang, Sulu; Mayor Al-Frazier Abdurajak of Panamao, Sulu; Mayor
Vic Paul Salarda of Alabel, Sarangani; Mayor Floro Sak Gandam of Lake Sebu,
South Cotabato; Mayor Sulpicio Villalobos of Sto. Nino, South Cotabato; Mayor
Alexis Quina of Balingasag, Misamis Oriental; Mayor Agne V. Yap of Baliangao,
Misamis Occidental, Mayor Meraluna S. Abrogar of Claveria, Misamis Oriental;
Mayor Fruto Dandasan of Dangcagan, Bukidnon; Mayor Jerry Canoy of Kadingilan,
Bukidnon; Mayor Jay Albert Puertas of Lagonglong, Misamis Oriental; Mayor
Alicia Rama-Ty of Plaridel, Misamis Occidental; Mayor Gomer Sabio of Tagoloan,
Misamis Oriental; Mayor Jennie Rosalie T. Uy of Villanueva, Misamis Oriental;
Mayor Daniel Dormitorio of Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur and Mayor Eddie Quimbo
of Labason, Zamboanga del Sur.
Under the MOA, the NAPC will assist the LGUs in helping channel the delivery of services to the poor and the deprived. (NAPC/PIA Caraga)
