By Mary Joy Cavañas
Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. launched his series of extensive programs through Executive Order No. 040, implementing the “SIGURADONG PAGKAIN, TIYAK NA GALING-KALUSUGAN (SiPag at TiyaGa) for MoRProGRes sa Bagong Pilipinas” on April 28.
The said initiative is in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Health, implementing food and health security interventions, which also aligned with the vision of Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition 2023-2028 (PPAN 2023-2028) to combat malnutrition.
Some of the rice programs include an intensified hybrid rice program through the program, “System Enhancement for Rice to Booster, Increase and Sustain Yields Onwards (SERBISYO)” which aims to increase rice production to six (6) metric tons per hectare with the province’s provision of farm equipment and implements, seeds and fertilizers, among others.
The province will also implement Rice Para sa Bayan (RPB@20)
In line with ART Response program and in partnership with DA, which aims to provide accessible and affordable rice to beneficiaries of the target population specifically undernourished children under five years old.
Data from DOH’s Operation Timbang Plus 2024 showed that there were total of 11,776 undernourished children across the province aging zero to 59 months.
The RPB@20 program is also subject to adjustment and expansion as the program develops, and subject to availability
