EPAHP Program Boosts CBO Engagement in Government Marketing Contracts

EPAHP Program Boosts CBO Engagement in Government Marketing Contracts

CAGAYAN VALLEY – Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) across the Cagayan Valley have expressed their gratitude to the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) program for helping them secure vital marketing contracts with various government agencies. These contracts have provided sustained income, fostering growth within their organizations and benefiting multiple government programs.

One standout CBO is the Rotary Community Corps of Cauayan City MPC, which has been supplying vegetables and condiments to the Tutok Kainan Supplementation Program and the BJMP-PDL Feeding Program. Their contract, valued at ₱1.42 million, is set to run from July to December 2024. Gimong Ti Rebecca Federation of IA and Salinong Ti Catunag Farmers Irrigators Association Inc. are also participating, supplying rice worth ₱72,800 to LGU Gonzaga’s 14th Cycle Supplementary Feeding Program.

Other notable contributors include Marasat-Dagupan Rice Business Innovations System Agriculture Cooperative, which is acting as a retailer for 13 beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)’s Walang Gutom Program. The cooperative is supplying vegetables, eggs, rice, and meat through December 2024, with a contract valued at ₱195,000.

In Peñablanca, the Bical-Baliuag Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative has secured a deal to provide banana and taro chips to the DepEd School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) across 11 School Division Offices (SDOs). The cooperative's contract, valued at ₱1.68 million, extends until November 2024.

Providers Multi-Purpose Cooperative has landed a major marketing contract with both the Department of Health’s Cagayan Valley Medical Center (DOH-CVMC) and LGU Nueva Vizcaya. The cooperative will supply rice and grocery items throughout 2024, with a total contract value of ₱9.59 million.

Sta Catalina Farmers Association, chosen as the retailer for the 2024 Walang Gutom Program, will also supply rice, eggs, vegetables, fish, and meat to LGU Tumauini’s 14th Cycle Supplementary Feeding Program. Their contracts total ₱2.13 million.

Nabbotuan Multi-Purpose Cooperative, meanwhile, is supplying vegetables to the Department of Health-Regional Hospital (DOH-RH) for their "pakbet" dishes, with a contract worth ₱32,717. Two additional cooperatives—DA RO2 Multi-Purpose Cooperative and Sinili Vegetable Growers Agri Cooperative—have also signed contracts with DOH-RH, providing rice and vegetables valued at a combined ₱2.05 million.

Lastly, Villa Luna MPC and Epiphany Multi-Purpose Cooperative have both secured contracts for the 14th Cycle Supplementary Feeding Program. Villa Luna MPC, a supplier of vegetables, rice, meat, and eggs to LGU Cauayan City since 2022, will continue its service, while Epiphany MPC will supply eggs, pork, rice, and flour to LGU Quezon, Isabela.

The CBOs are thankful for the EPAHP Program, which has acted as a bridge to connect them with government agencies, ensuring a steady market for their products and continuous income. This has enabled the growth of their organizations, created more job opportunities, and provided livelihoods for people in their communities.