DSWD Secretary Bautista shares PH efforts towardsZero Hunger Philippines, COVID-19 recovery at UN session
Secretary Rolando Bautista: “The National Food Policy outlines priorities along food security towards the achievement of a Zero Hunger Philippines” (Photo from New York PM)
UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 16 February 2022 — Secretary Rolando Bautista of the Department of Social Welfare and Development highlighted the efforts of the Philippines to achieve zero hunger and ensure an inclusive and resilient recovery from COVID-19 in his statement for the 60th Session of the Commission for Social Development on 08 February 2022 at the United Nations Headquarters.
Secretary Bautista noted that the Philippine Government established laws, policies, and programs, citing as an example the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act of 2020. He said that this law was crafted “to cushion the effects of the pandemic and provide relief assistance to Filipinos especially those who are most vulnerable to risks.”
“The DSWD implemented social amelioration measures and provided subsidies and basic necessities to affected families and individuals,” Secretary Bautista said.
Secretary Bautista also added that the Emergency Subsidy Program covered 25 million low-income families nationwide. The Bayanihan 2 law, on the other hand, provided an additional 6 billion pesos to cater families placed on granular lockdowns and to assist informal sectors who lost their sources of living.
Secretary Bautista mentioned that investment on systems technologies and ICT is a priority for the Philippines. This will support the “new normal” operations of social welfare and development programs, services, processes, and systems.
“The Philippines acknowledges that the pandemic - despite its devastating effects - has been an opportunity to highlight and provide important focus on its Sustainable Development Goals 1 and 2,” Secretary Bautista underscored while noting that the COVID-19 experience has opened windows to optimize social protection benefits and discuss policies on eradicating poverty and hunger in the Philippines.
In his Opening Remarks at the start of the session, President of the General Assembly Abdulla Shahid encouraged Member States and other stakeholders to see the pandemic not only as a crisis but also an opportunity to enshrine resilience and sustainability in all policies and programs.
According to PGA Shahid, Member States “must invest in and share technology and capacities, prioritize basic services and infrastructure, invest in green and blue recovery, and work together to close the gaps to ensure that no one is left behind.”
The meeting of Commission on Social Development takes place in a hybrid-format from 07 to 16 February 2022. The Commission is the advisory body responsible for social development pillar for global development. The theme of the 60th session of the Commission is “Inclusive and resilient recovery from COVID-19 for sustainable livelihoods, well-being and dignity for all: eradicating poverty and hunger in all its forms and dimensions to achieve the 2030 Agenda.” END
For more information, visit https://www.un.int/philippines/ and https://web.facebook.com/PHMissionNY