MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Jan. 15 (PIA) --- The regional
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-ARMM) has just launched the
pilot run of its Apat Dapat program, an anti-poverty initiative that will focus
on 600 of the region’s poorest families.
The
program will focus on key interventions concerning four basic needs of every
family, namely food, lighting, water and sanitation, and shelter. The program
beneficiaries of the Apat Dapat program’s pilot run are among the poorest of
the poor in the region.
“We
hope that the Apat Dapat program’s focused approach will prove to be a good fit
alongside the broader approaches taken by our existing anti-poverty
initiatives, all of which are community-driven development projects,” DSWD-ARMM
Secretary Rahima Alba said.
Accoording
to Alba, ensuring food sufficiency and livelihood, the first of the four
components of the Apat Dapat program, involves four modalities. These are (1)
satisfying every families’ recommended dietary allowance for protein and
energy, (2) identifying what livelihood is best for the families and providing
the necessary livelihood training, (3) encouraging families to put up small
livelihood activities such as backyard gardening and poultry raising that can
support food sufficiency, and (4) gradually transitioning the livelihood
activities from being food security measure to also being a source of income
for the families.
“Along
with continued support in construction of solar dryers and warehouse, as well
as the provision of equipment and machineries, we are making sure that every
family in a community can live a life where their needs are met through the
Apat Dapat program,” Alba said.
Technical assistance have been provided by the World Food
Program to ensure the sustainability of the food security program, with input
from the World Bank which has been consistent in being ARMM’s partner in
poverty alleviation.
The
DSWD-ARMM is looking into a partnership with the Department of Health’s rural
health units and local nutritionists to make sure that food sufficiency and
security goals are met. (BPI/APB/PIA-10)
No comments