The towns of Dalaguete, Sta. Fe and Tuburan were identified as pilot areas for the national government’s Accelerated and Sustainable Anti-Poverty Program (ASAPP) in yesterday’s meeting at the Capitol Social Hall.
Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras said the program is intended to implement the best practices of government agencies and apply them in local government units (LGUs) to help alleviate poverty in their areas.
He said while Cebu can take pride in the fact that it is growing more rapidly than other parts of the country, the reality is that its poor communities are being left behind.
“We need programs to target specific communities and sectors. The lives of the people that have been touched in this way don’t just turn around for now, their future is suddenly a lot brighter,” he said.
ASAPP is an initiative of the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cabinet Cluster (HDPRCC) to fast-track financing programs for poverty reduction.
Regional Director Efren Carreon of the National Economic Development Authority (Neda-7) said the ASAPP is “an inter-agency effort” that seeks to reduce poverty through sustainable and income-generating opportunities for the poor.
“The three LGUs will come up with ideas on how they can create a climate for livelihood to thrive and provide better income to the poor,” Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III.
Sta. Fe Mayor Jose Esgana said his administration already planned and implemented programs like organic vegetable farming and improved fishing methods to help his constituents. /Xavier University Intern Pearl S. Aton