KP to launch anti-poverty program

CEBU, Philippines — Members of the Kilusang Pagbabago- Visayas, a mass movement of President Rodrigo Duterte’s supporters, are expected to rally behind the embattled Secretary to the Cabinet Leoncio Evasco during the Cebu launching of the anti-poverty program of the administration on Saturday.

Evasco, who was recently relieved as chairman of the National Food Authority (NFA) Council, will lead the launching of Biyaya ng Pagbabago Program in Cebu. This will be one of the series of program launchings in the Visayas.

The Cebu launching will be held at the Cebu Technological University grounds. The Biyaya ng Pagbabago Tungo sa Masagana at Matiwasay na Buhay Pilipino or Biyaya ng Pagbabago is a program initiated by the office of Evasco in partnership with the Kilusang Pagbabago.

The program is also supported by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources,  Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Labor and Employment, Philippine Statistics Authority, Department of Interior and Local Government, Philippine Coconut Authority, Department of Trade and Industry, Cooperative Development Authority, Philippine Information Agency, Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Social Security System, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Department of Agriculture, National Food Authority and housing agencies

"It aims to bring various poverty alleviation programs of the national government to the communities,” said Wendell Cabrera, Visayas Cluster Director of the Office for Participatory Governance.   After Cebu, the program will also be launched in Talibon, Bohol on April 28; Tacloban City on May 5; Iloilo City on May 19; Roxas City on May 26; Ormoc City on June 2; Catarman in Northern Samar on June 9; Sagay City in Negros Occidental on June 16; and Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental June 30.

“With these launches, we expect faster implementation of the program all over the Visayas and benefit more people in central Philippines,” said Doris Isubal-Mongaya, KP-Visayas lead convenor.

Mongaya said they are also rolling out 2,500 awards for scholarships in Cebu this year.

"I am happy to tell you of the graduation of 50 KP scholars. I am looking forward to more graduates in 2018,” she said adding that last Saturday, they turned over 25 scholarship certificates to Cebu Newscoop during its general assembly.

“Wa ta manghatag og isda. We want people to learn how to fish,” said Mongaya.

Evasco is expected to meet several Cebu mayors and Undersecretary Penpen Libres of the Office of Participatory Governance during the Cebu launching. —/FPL (FREEMAN)