Hunger and the private sector

As the hunger rate increased from 9 percent last December to 31 percent last month, the private sector took action to address the problem. But their efforts were not enough to bring the trend down.

This is largely because of the disastrous impact of COVID-19: less economic acti­vity, less purchasing power, less access to food, and therefore, more hungry people.

The immediate solution to hunger is food availability. At this time, with resources at an all time low level, hunger may even increase further. If we do not take decisive action, there may be increased desperation and more restlessness.

Jose Ma. Montelibano, special projects head of Gawad Kalinga and chair of Ateneo de Manila University 616569 Foundation, has been involved in the feeding programs of both organizations for the last 10 years. On Aug. 21, when he saw hunger rates rising from 9 percent in December to 21 percent in July, he predicted the trajectory of increased hunger in September. The private sector has been very active in efforts to curb hunger. There are the donations from corporations, such as the P500 million from San Miguel Corp.; feeding programs of artists, such as Angel Locsin, Bea Alonzo and Rina Navarro; local Church initiatives, such as the San Isidro Labrador Parish coordinated by Eduardo Gatchalian and Father Robert Reyes; monetary contributions from Bible study groups, such as the Merville Catholic Christian Fellowship, and other nongovernmen­­tal organizations.

The government has also been contributing significantly, though there were some missteps. Decreasing government assistance from 18 million to 14 million families at a time of increasing hunger has been corrected. But government support has not been enough. The hunger rate still increased to 31 percent.

Montelibano believed something new and creative had to be offered. Though much was already being done by the private sector, additional contributions from those not yet involved had to be harnessed. This would be possible with an innovative platform and electronic technology.

On that day, Montelibano led the organization of the Walang Iwanan Alliance (WIA). It’s main mission is to increase awareness to the hunger issue. It also connects those who want to help but do not know how, to those experiencing severe hunger.

This is done through a platform that will funnel donations to credible organizations with a successful track record in high priority hunger areas. WIA can handle donations as small as P100, which can provide one meal for one day to four hungry people. Its battle­cry is: “Kung hindi gutom, kayang tumulong.” It taps a new source of support, and has a special emphasis on youth.

WIA is a platform that has a database of where the hungry are, and which private sector groups are already helping in those areas. Those who want to help, but need more information, contact WIA. Their donations are then given to credible organizations working in designated areas and delivering food to the hungry.

The WIA model unlocks a rich resource of help. Its key elements should be replicated in cities where hunger must be addressed immediately. But it should be implemented carefully, lest it be used for scams.

For WIA that operates in the National Capital Region, it is supported by people like former education secretary Brother Armin Luistro, president of the Philippine Business for Social Progress. Another is Vicky Wienecke, president of Kabisig ng Kalahi with a multiawarded 20-year feeding track record. Even Globe Telecom studied WIA, and officially announced a Globe Rewards program for WIA (Website: walangiwananalliance.com, phone: 0916-5333311, 0908- 6883300).

Hunger is a big challenge today. The private sector should meet that challenge with new options like WIA and other creative initiatives.

The author is Agriwatch chair, former secretary of Presidential Programs and Projects, and former undersecretary of DA and DTI. Contact is [email protected].