After President Gloria Arroyo ordered the Philippine Information Agency-7 to help in raising awareness on the “Sinanduloy Alang sa Kabusog, Sinanduloy Alang sa Kahimsog” or SAKSAK program, it is now being promoted in the regional level.
PIA-7 regional director Minerva Newman said that they already distributed DVDs on the SAKSAK program, initiated by the provincial government, to all radio and television stations in the region.
These DVDs contain a three-minute video presentation on how sweet potato or “kamote” is mixed with rice as an extender. It also promotes kamote as very effective in reducing the risks of diabetes.
For promoting the use of kamote to extend the volume of rice, the provincial government was praised by Arroyo who herself ate Sinanduloy during her visit in Cebu last April 28.
Senator Richard Gordon also vowed to make the Capitol-initiated program a national campaign.
The Capitol had released P100,000 as financial assistance to each town for the purchase of sweet potatoes intended to be distributed alongside with the NFA rice.
Also, the provincial government had released an additional P100,000 to assist LGUs in running an outlet for NFA rice distribution.
Further, a province-wide search for the best LGU supporting the SAKSAK program was launched by the Capitol to encourage the commitment of each local government unit.
The competition was created to ensure that the goal of the SAKSAK program is achieved and not just merely for “photo opportunities”.
Choosing the best performing LGU supporting the SAKSAK program will be based on the overall effectiveness in terms of project planning, advocacy and sustainability in implementation, rate of adoption by non-beneficiaries of the project and the degree of support to the project in terms of allocating time, personnel, equipment and other resources.
Mayors of different LGUs, on the other hand, already expressed their commitment to the program.
The contest which started last May 1 will end on November 30 this year. The awarding of the chosen LGUs will be in December in line with the Capitol’s Christmas celebration.
“The best LGU will receive a prize from the Capitol,” Governor Gwendolyn Garcia vowed. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/MEEV