By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Three local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental and one LGU in Iloilo province signed an agreement with the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) for the implementation of the Sambayanihan Serbisyong Sambayanan (3S) poverty reduction program.

The towns of Moises Padilla, Murcia, and Calatrava in Negros Occidental, and Carles in Iloilo are included in the priority areas under the “Adopt 40-10-10,” which is a core program of the 3S.

NAPC secretary and lead convenor Noel Felongco said the memorandum of agreement that was signed virtually will “pave the way to a deeper connection and stronger partnership in reducing poverty by uplifting the lives of impoverished, oppressed and marginalized sectors,” who are mostly farmers and fisherfolk.

In the agreement, NAPC will provide the direction for the implementation of the program through its accredited volunteers.

The direction has to anchor on core components to include the provision of basic services and access to climate responsive dwellings, livelihood and employment to the informal sector families, development of infrastructure and financing mechanisms for rural poor, strengthening of rural-urban agri-economic value chains, secure health and general well-being of poor communities, and enhance food security.

The LGUs should provide assistance in the implementation of the program within their jurisdiction.

NAPC executive assistant VI Antonio Donguines said the provision of quality and sustainable services will never stop amid the health pandemic.

“This program aims to implement a climate responsive, gender and culture sensitive, convergent and participatory anti-poverty strategy,” he said.

Also joining in the virtual signing ceremony were priority LGUs from regions 7 and 8, and Luzon./DGB, WDJ