EPAHP RPMO IV-A Attends Supplier Meeting in Ibaan, Batangas Adopting NP-CP for the 14th cycle of SFP.

(Ibaan, Batangas, August 14, 2024): The Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) of DSWD Field Office IV-A attended the supplier meeting of the Municipality of Ibaan, Batangas, during its pilot implementation of the 14th cycle of the Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) using Negotiated Procurement Community Participation (NP-CP). The meeting aimed to link farmers to SFP using the guidelines set by the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB).  

The meeting underscored the critical role of community-based organizations (CBOs) in ensuring the food security and nutrition of the target child beneficiaries. At the grassroots level, local farmers need to have a clear understanding of the procurement process to effectively participate in and benefit from government opportunities.

The municipal agriculturist, Ms. Ethyl Joy Salazar, welcomed the participants and discussed the role of farmers in feeding programs, emphasizing sustainable agricultural practices and specific guidelines for suppliers to ensure the timely and proper delivery of goods.

Ms. Elsie Cerveza, the municipal administration officer, confirms the 100% procurement of food requirements for the feeding programs using the negotiated procurement community participation approach. This initiative is aimed at benefiting local farmers, particularly in government feeding programs, to ensure they have a consistent and reliable market for their produce.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from the farmers to continue working closely with the Municipal Agricultural Office to meet the quality and quantity standards required for the feeding programs and ensure the success of the program.

DSWD implements the Supplementary Feeding Program which aims to improve and maintain the nutritional status of children enrolled in child development centers or in supervised neighborhood play by providing augmentation support for feeding and intensifying nutrition and health education to identified beneficiaries.  DSWD also serves as the Chair of the The Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP), a convergence program under IATF Zero Hunger which ensures a whole-of-government approach in eradicating hunger and achieving food security by creating greater synergy and convergence of the essential services of various government agencies.  -  with report from — LyeNavarro