THE Provincial Government joined the nation in commemorating the 2021 National Disaster Resilience Month on Monday, July 5, highlighting the importance of focusing on home-based livelihood programs, particularly in the women's sector, to improve the province's food security and alleviate unemployment among its residents.
Governor Dennis Pineda said the province has been constantly making initiatives and finding ways to address the needs of Kapampangans since the National Government declared an emergency health crisis in early 2020.
One of those severely impacted by the continuing health crisis, according to him, is the province's food security as a result of insufficient food supply and job loss.
“Dahil sa hinaharap nating pandemya, ang food security ng probinsya ay lubhang naapektuhan bunga ng mga problema sa suplay ng pagkain at kawalan ng trabaho ng maraming Kapampangan. Upang matugunan ito, nilayon ng Provincial Government na isagawa itong home-based livelihood and food security program ngayong 2021 dahil na rin sa hinaharap nating krisis,” Pineda said.
The governor said the program is based on the Department of Agriculture's (DA) "Plant, Plant, Plant Program" or "Ahon Lahat, Pagkain Sapat (Alpas) Laban sa Covid-19 Program," which was outlined using the "whole of nation" approach in order to raise the country's food adequacy level.
According to Angelina Blanco, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), the initiative involves the province's 8,597 Nanay Community Workers (NCWs), who will help Kapampangan households find alternative sources of food and livelihood.
Of which are backyard or container gardening, planting, harvesting and food marketing.
Blanco said the province has outlined different steps for the NCWs to follow in order to realize the program.
“Two months before nag-survey tayo to gather information sa mga different gardens na available sa mga NCWs natin. After that, nag distribute tayo ng mga seeds and planting seedlings. And to help our NCWs, we’ve also prepared online seminars tackling Home Based Urban Gardening and Harvesting,” Blanco said.
According to her, progress reports will be submitted by the NCWs monthly and crops will be harvested for household consumption, market selling, or will be given as donations. (PR)