IT IS about time our national government took drastic measures to address poverty.
The implementing rules and regulation of RA 11310 on the cash transfers or 4Ps have been signed and the implementation thereof is in full swing.
What is noteworthy is that all concerned government agencies have finally joined forces to step up the drive to weed out hunger in our country.
To jumpstart the collective effort, a memorandum of understanding has been made and signed by the member-agencies of the Human Development and Poverty Reduction cabinet cluster at Malacanang.
Under the program, according to press releases, the involved government member-agencies will start the anti-hunger and poverty projects initially in 32 provinces as priority beneficiaries. The large region of Mindanao should be the first priority beneficiary as most of its provinces are mired in poverty.
The program has several components, namely: feeding program, credit support, skills training for community-based organizations, nutrition education, building of agriculture and technology infrastructure, technical and research training, partnerships with the private sector, improvement of education facilities and anti-poverty advocacy.
The #GoodbyeGutom campaign aims to drastically reduce hunger incidences by 2030, this, according to Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles.
Fine, but the President must stop ostracizing the rich and powerful, if he expects to generate support or assistance from the moneyed and privileged, in his call for public-private partnerships.
* * *
Mayor Isko shows them up again. Manila Mayor Francisco 'Isko Moreno' Domagoso took the cudgels for job order employees in the city hall by ending the practice of short-term employment or contractualization.
He believes that Manila should be the number one implementer of the government's campaign to finish Endo. He added that after five months, it has been his policy to prioritize (job orders) Jos for regularization, taking into account length of service and qualifications.”
The other local government units in the country should emulate Mayor Isko's lead.
* * *
Pursuant to the Clean Water Act of 2004 which relates directly or indirectly to waste water and septage management, the cities of Baguio and Angeles have now their septic management systems. Most of the residential and commercial buildings or establishments utilize septic tanks or on-site sanitation as a means of sewage treatment and disposal. These cities are earnestly committed to the improvement, maintenance and conservation of the environment and protection of public health.
Ordinances have been passed to carry out septage management. Under these ordinances, a Septage Management Board shall act as a local special body with the mayor as chairman and the head of the City Council committee on health and sanitation, ecology and environmental protection as vice chair. Violators may be fined or the erring business establishment closed.