NFA programs empower poor

TAGBILARAN – FIGHTING poverty takes more than giving people money. The National Food Authority, who has been into empowering the poor to work for their lots aand provide affordable food has recently implemented new rice distribution program in the province benefiting various identified beneficiaries.

NFA says the Tindahan Natin (TN) Program, a national government initiative for job generation, livelihood and food security is on top of the list of empowering government support. The program provides low-priced but good quality rice and noodles to low income families through a store jointly identified and endorsed by the DSWD, City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices of the Local Government Units (LGUs), the Barangay Council and accredited by the NFA.

In Bohol , the program targets a total of 55 outlets Anda, Balilihan, Bien-Unido, Catigbian, Dagohoy, Dimiao, Loboc, Loon and Pres. Garcia. These outlets will be selling NFA rice at P18 per kilogram and noodles. Similarly, another livelihood project forming part of Pres. Arroyo's poverty alleviation program is the “Handog ng Parokya, Bilihing Abot Kaya”. This program taps the church as beneficiary outlets to sell P18 per kilogram NFA rice in their respective parishes.

Identified beneficiary parishes are Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Balilihan, St. John of the Cross Parish in Tubigon, Our Lady of the Cross Parish in Loon, Holy Trinity Parish in Loay, Our Lady of the Cross Parish in Loon, Holy Trinity Parish in Loay, Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Dauis and the Social Action Center of the Diocese of Tagbilaran.

Meanwhile, the Summer Food for School Program (FSP) of the DepEd and DSWD are still ongoing. DepEd FSP identified beneficiaries are the different primary and elementary schools in Anda, Balilihan, Bien-Unido and Loboc while the DSWD FSP identified beneficiaries are day care centers in Sagbayan, Garcia-Hernandez and Jagna. A total of 3,255 bags were distributed through the said programs.

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