Pact signed to enforce plans vs. poverty

TEN government agencies have agreed to share resources to provide marginalized families with community-based livelihood, skills and capability training.

This undertaking was sealed through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 and the Departments of Agriculture (DA), Agrarian Reform (DAR), Health (DOH), Interior and Local Government (DILG), Labor and Employment (Dole), Science and Technology (DOST), Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Tourism (DOT), and Trade and Industry (DTI).

DENR 7 Executive Director Isabelo R. Montejo said the agreement provides a holistic approach to ensure the implementation of programs on poverty alleviation, job creation, food security, and healthy and safe environment.

The memorandum aims to implement communitybased sustainable livelihood and enterprise development, among others.

“The MOU specifically identifies priority and highimpact programs and projects from each of the 10 agencies that have common interests and objectives, particularly those aimed at alleviating poverty in municipalities,” said Montejo.

The National Greening Program that seeks to plant trees on 1.5 million hectares for six years is the DENR’s main contribution to the convergence, with its various activities as support to poverty alleviation, food security and climate change mitigation.

These activities included site identification and development, seedling production and plant propagation, adoption of environmentfriendly technologies, provi- sion of planting materials and technical assistance, and monitoring and evaluation.

Other government projects identified in the new convergence program include the Agri-Pinoy Program of the DA, the Program Beneficiaries Development of DAR, the Enhancing Economic Growth and Competitiveness of Local Government Units Program of the DILG, and the Integrated Livelihood Program towards Community Enterprise De- velopment of Dole.

The labor department is also tasked to assist trainees of its attached agency, the Technical Education and Skills Development Training, in creating community-based sustainable livelihood and enterprises.

The DOT, on the other hand, will develop training modules and conduct training programs to upgrade the quality, competence and excellence in the delivery of tourism services.