Eastern visayas: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has allocated PHP22.42 million to combat hunger by enhancing livelihood activities across 60 associations in Eastern Visayas this year.

According to Philippines News Agency, during the past nine months, the initiative has provided grants to 1,157 members of 60 Sustainable Livelihood Program Associations (SLPAs) situated in impoverished communities in the region, as stated by DSWD 8 (Eastern Visayas) information officer Jonalyndie Chua in a phone interview. Chua highlighted that the Zero Hunger Program, which is in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals, is designed to eliminate hunger and malnutrition while encouraging sustainable agriculture practices by 2030. The program seeks to ensure that every individual has access to nutritious food and economic opportunities.

The distribution of the PHP22.42 million grant includes PHP3.4 million to Eastern Samar, PHP7.66 million to Leyte, and PHP3.78 million each to Northern Samar, Samar, and Southern Leyte provinces. The grants support various livelihood activities such as urban vegetable production, tilapia production, crop production, food vending, rice retailing, motorcycle transport, Piso WiFi services, and general merchandise.

This initiative forms part of the national effort to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2, which aims to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture by 2030.