Exploring the Northern Frontiers of Region VIII: DSWD FO VIII EPAHP RPMO Discussion on the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger & Poverty (EPAHP) and Reiteration of Utilization of Negotiated Procurement - Community Participation (NP-CP) in the LGU of Allen, Northern Samar
The DSWD EPAHP RPMO with Mayor Christian G. Lao (L), CBO representatives & LGU officials (2nd from L), the Mayor giving his welcome remarks (3rd picture from L), and EPAHP CBCBGAO Discussing the EPAHP & NP/CP (R)

Exploring the Northern Frontiers of Region VIII: DSWD FO VIII EPAHP RPMO Discussion on the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger & Poverty (EPAHP) and Reiteration of Utilization of Negotiated Procurement - Community Participation (NP-CP) in the LGU of Allen, Northern Samar

The introduction of the EPAHP program to the Northernmost province of Region VIII created an avenue for the LGU farmers and fisherfolk to have a direct market to the current thirty-four (34) members of EPAHP FO VIII RPMO for their livelihood sustainability and assistance.

EPAHP and NP/CP orientation was conducted last February 14, 2024, in the municipality of Allen, Northern Samar, an advocacy by the DSWD FO VIII EPAHP RPMO to introduce the EPAHP program to the different LGUs in Region VIII. Likewise, the DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian's direction to EPAHP Field Offices to promote NP-CP to LGUs as this modality will enable CBOs to access the government procurement system. The activity was participated by the officers of different CBOs in the LGU, LGU officials, and the acting Mayor of Allen, Christian G. Lao.

Supportive as they are, the LGU of Allen, Northern Samar, warmly welcomed the DSWD FO VIII EPAHP RPMO as they conducted an orientation on the EPAHP program, and advocated the utilization of Negotiated Procurement/Community Participation as instructed by the DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian during the visit of the DSWD FO VIII EPAHP RPMO to the LGU. As the mayor quoted "The LGU appreciates that the municipality of Allen, Northern Samar is included in the different program and service implementation of DSWD Field Office VIII, the turn now is for the LGU to support every program given to us, thus EPAHP and NP-CP will be embraced and will be assessed."

The importance of livelihood through organization development was highlighted, with the LGUs Barriopreneur (Tabo) where the CBOs can showcase and place their Agri-fisheries products. The One Town, One Product is a trading and market hub located in the población, where tourists and visitors of Allen can avail the products (including handicrafts) from the different sectors in Allen, these initiatives made the LGU one of the selected few as participants for the "Walang Gutom Award", a pride for the people of Region VIII in hunger and poverty initiative.