| PGMA
endorses Cebu’s ‘SakSak’ anti-hunger mitigation
program
President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, in her recent visit to Cebu, has
endorsed the “Sinanduloy sa Kahimsog, Sinanduloy sa
Kabusog,” or SakSak program of the Provincial Government
of Cebu.
The
‘SakSak’ program was launched province-wide by
Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia as the local government’s way
to help ease the impact of price increases of rice and other
basic commodities.
“It’s
our way of finding ways to help the poorest of the poor of
our people cope with the increases in rice prices. We are
promoting the use of camote with rice,” Governor Garcia
told the media.
According
to her, the program aims at increasing the volume and feeding
capacity of cooked rice and promoting the production and value
of camote throughout the province.
Relative
to the SakSak program, Gov. Garcia told the President that
Cebu province is now initiating a contest among the LGUs that
include categories such as “Best Performing LGU in supporting
the SakSak program; “Best SakSak Recipe” and “Best
Sweet Potato Backyard Gardening and Production.”
Furthermore,
the governor released P200,000 as financial aid to the various
towns and cities for their respective anti-hunger programs
that include the improved production of camote and the LGU’s
entrepreneurial activities by establishing NFA-rice outlets
in their areas.
Based
on the nutritional value of Camote, this “lowly crop”
contains anti-oxidants; is low in sodium and low in saturated
fat and cholesterol. Camote is also a good source of dietary
fiber, vitamin B6 and potassium.
The
governor also called on the DepEd, the DA and the media to
promote and educate the people on the good nutritional value
of camote.
Pres. Arroyo also instructed the Philippine Information Agency
(PIA) to assist in the tri-media promotion of the SakSak program
as this mitigates hunger and poverty at the countryside. (By
Minerva BC Newman/PIA-Cebu)
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