The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga’s Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) Program celebrated the successful signing of a new Marketing Agreement (MA) on October 11, 2024, at ACE Medical Center in Butuan City.

The ceremonial signing, which is part of its ongoing effort to support local associations, formalized a partnership between Allied Care Experts Medical Center-Butuan and three Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), namely, the Lower Agusan River Pump Irrigation System Good Farmers Irrigators Association (LARPIS), the Fisherfolks Initiative for Sustainable Harvest Fishermen Cooperative (FISH COOP), and the Tabuan Vendors-Consumers Cooperative (TAVECC). Partnering agencies, including the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)-Cagara, Cooperative Development Authority (CDA)-Caraga, and National Irrigation Administration (NIA)-Caraga were also present and signed the agreement.

By signing the agreement, local farmers and fisherfolks can collectively benefit from improved market access, increased income, stronger associations, enhanced food security, and sustainable agricultural practices, all of which contribute to their well-being and that of their communities.

Assistant Regional Director for Operations Jean Paul Parajes expressed optimism in his inspirational message, hoping the signing marks the start of enduring partnerships.

“I hope that this agreement will not merely conclude with its initial term, but be renewed annually, fostering a long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationship that extends well beyond the agreement’s formal duration,” he said.

Enginner Danilo Yamis, Chief of Engineering and Operations Section of NIA-Caraga, also shared his gratitude to EPAHP’s role in linking their irrigators association to such opportunities.

“I am grateful to EPAHP for connecting our Irrigators Association. With the signing of the Marketing Agreement, our obligations already begin, even before the delivery phase,” he said.

The EPAHP Program, chaired by DSWD, seeks to establish sustainable initiatives to reduce hunger and enhance food and nutrition security. This is achieved by connecting CBOs with potential markets and offering credit assistance to support food production, processing, and distribution.