Lumbatan, Lanao del Sur (19 March) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo stressed yesterday the importance of monitoring the prices of basic commodities as a means to fight hunger and malnutrition.
The President said there are many reasons why the people experienced hunger. One of the reasons she specifically cited is the high prices of basic and prime commodities which prevented the people from getting access to good nutrition thus worsening poverty.
She said she brought with her newly-appointed Trade and Industry Secretary Jesli Lapus to help her monitor market prices of basic commodities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and Western Mindanao.
President Arroyo visited the town of Lumbatan to witness the forging of alliance between the National Nutrition Council (NNC) and the Department of Health (DOH) in the ARMM.
She said the agreement ensures that the Promote Good Nutrition (PGN) component of the Accelerated Hunger-Mitigation Program (AHMP) aimed at alleviating malnutrition and hunger will be sustainably carried out to all barangays in the country.
The AHMP is one of the banner programs of President Arroyo to reduce hunger incidence, malnutrition problems and poverty in the country.
The President further appealed to the people to work together to combat poverty.
"Magtulungan tayong lahat para labanan ang kahirapan," the President said.
No comments