DSWD IV-A in talks with LGU - Santa Maria, Laguna to Link Local Farmers with its Feeding Programs

"The DSWD IV-A through Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) hosted an exploratory discussion and a courtesy visit to the Municipal Office of Santa Maria, Laguna last May 21, 2024. The meeting was spearheaded by EPAHP RPMO and Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) in coordination to Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP), Municipal Agriculture Office, and the Bids and Awards Committee. The meeting aims to introduce the EPAHP to the LGU and link the local farmers and food producers to the 14th Cycle of SFP through adoption of Negotiated Procurement Community-Participation (NPCP).

The Local Government Unit (LGU) expressed strong support on the suggested initiative. The LGU provided DSWD IV-A with the list of Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to validate its legal, technical and financial capacity to supply food items to SFP. The LGU committed to helping the local farmers by prioritizing its food produce for the feeding program. They will start procuring the rice requirement of the feeding program from the local farmers of Santa Maria. The LGU will hold an internal meeting to address the next steps, which includes creation of the indicative procurement plan."