DSWD-13 ventures with new marketing agreement to strengthen programs on hunger, poverty
BUTUAN CITY -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga’s Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) Program celebrated the successful signing of a new Marketing Agreement (MA) on October 11, at ACE Medical Center in Butuan City.
The ceremonial signing, which is part
of its ongoing effort to support local associations, formalized a partnership
between Allied Care Experts Medical Center-Butuan and three community-based
organizations (CBOs) namely, the Lower Agusan River Pump Irrigation System Good
Farmers Irrigators Association (LARPIS), the Fisherfolk Initiative for
Sustainable Harvest Fishermen Cooperative (FISH COOP), and the Tabuan
Vendors-Consumers Cooperative (TAVECC).
Partnering agencies, including the
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Cagara, Cooperative
Development Authority (CDA) Caraga, and National Irrigation Administration
(NIA) Caraga were also present, serving as signatories of the agreement.
By signing the agreement, local
farmers and fisherfolk can collectively benefit from improved market access,
increased income, stronger associations, enhanced food security, and
sustainable agricultural practices, all of which contribute to their well-being
and that of their communities.
Assistant Regional Director for Operations Jean Paul Parajes expressed optimism in his inspirational message, hoping the signing will mark a start of enduring partnerships.
“I hope that this agreement will not
merely conclude with its initial term, but be renewed annually, fostering a
long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationship that extends well beyond the
agreement’s formal duration,” he said.
Engr. Danilo Yamis, chief of
Engineering and Operations Section of NIA-Caraga, also shared his gratitude to
EPAHP’s role in linking their irrigators association to such opportunities.
“I am grateful to EPAHP for
connecting our irrigators associations. With the signing of the Marketing
Agreement, our obligation has begun, even before the delivery phase,” he said.
The program on EPAHP, chaired by DSWD, seeks to establish sustainable initiatives to reduce hunger and enhance food and nutrition security. This is achieved by connecting CBOs with potential markets and offering credit assistance to support food production, processing, and distribution. (DSWD-Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
