In response to the call of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure food security and promote zero hunger in the country, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. launched his initiative “SiPag at TiyaGa for MoRProGRes sa Bagong Pilipinas,” a convergence program aimed at sustaining the agriculture sector and addressing malnutrition in the province of Iloilo.
Anchored on his Executive Order No. 040 Series of 2025, the provincial government will partner with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health in implementing its hybrid rice program and in selling affordable rice to the beneficiaries of its nutrition program.
One component of this initiative is the intensified hybrid rice program which is a long-term strategy to reach Iloilo’s annual rice production target of six metric tons per hectare. This will be anchored on the Provincial Agriculture Office’s SERBISYO Program or a System Enhancement for Rice to Boost, Increase and Sustain Yield Onwards. The province will also provide assistance to the MoRProGRes farms in the form of farm equipment and implements, fertilizer, and seeds, among others.
Another component is making available the P20 per kilo rice to undernourished children below five years old who are beneficiaries of the ART Response Program of the Provincial Health Office. Data from the Department of Health Operation Timbang Plus 2024 showed that there are 11,776 undernourished children aged 0 to 59 months in the province.
Governor Defensor underscored the need to provide cheaper rice to undernourished children, noting that rice is a basic source of carbohydrates and protein. The rice will be made avaialble in KADIWA ng Pangulo Centers and other government retail stores in city and municipalities.
This short-term strategy is also in support of the P20 per kilo rice program rollout of the Department of Agriculture under the directive of President Marcos.
Another feature of the governor’s initiative is the financial assistance to the families of undernourished children through the Aid to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), Ayuda para sa Kapos and Kita Program (AKAP), and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), among others.
“We combined the call of the President on the rice emergency and also our programs. So this is what we have,” the governor said.
Governor Defensor said the program implementation will start after a careful discussion with the stakeholders on its operationalization, viability, and sustainability. He clarified that this will be implemented after the election.
The SiPag at TiyaGa for MoRProGRes sa Bagong Pilipinas was launched on April 28, 2025 under the presence of Department of Agriculture VI OIC-Regional Technical Director Ma. Theresa Solis, National Food Authority Regional Manager Jasmin Lintag, Department of Labor and Employment Iloilo Field Office Head Dir. Joselito Dela Banda, DSWD VI Director Arwin Razo, SP Committee Chairperson on Agriculture Board Member Rolito Cajilig, municipal mayors and their representatives, partners and stakeholders, Capitol department heads and employees, among others.
This initiative is also aligned with Defensor's “MoRProGRes Iloilo” development goals such as attaining food security and providing accessible, sufficient, and effective health and social services to the Ilonggos. (Capitol News)
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