Press Release
February 21, 2016

POE: FREE LUNCH FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL KIDS, SUBSIDIES TO AGRI SECTOR TO FIGHT HUNGER, POVERTY

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY--Independent presidential candidate Sen. Grace Poe said she would push for free lunch to public school children to fight hunger and poverty, and increase subsidies to farmers who comprise more than 60 percent report of the country's poor.

"Ang una talaga para sa akin ay dapat na magkaroon ng libreng pananghalian sa ating mga public schools dahil 'yan ay diretso sa tiyan ng mga bata. Hindi po matututo ang ating mga bata at hindi po tatalino kung sila po ay nagugutom. Iyan po ang pinakauna," Poe said during the first round of presidential debates held in Cagayan de Oro City when asked how she will address hunger and poverty.

Poe is the author of the proposed Free Lunch Program, which seeks to provide free lunch to malnourished children in all public schools.

The program aims to pave the way for the institutionalization of a national feeding program that will allow impoverished children to attain full development.

Poe said her administration will also infuse substantial amount of the national budget to uplift the agriculture industry, one of the most neglected sectors and host to the poorest members of the society.

"Ang pinakamahihirap na ating mga kababayan ay nasa sektor ng agrikultura, at alam naman po natin na mismong nagtatanim ng palay at bigas ay sila pa po ay bumibili pa ng bigas sa palengke," Poe pointed out.

The presidential frontrunner said farmers should be provided with agricultural subsidies, such as fertilizers and irrigation, given the important role they play in achieving food security.

"Huwag nating pababayaan ang sektor ng agrikultura� Importante po 'yan sapagkat habang may nagugutom sa ating bansa, hindi natin pwedeng sabihin na nagiging matagumpay ang ating ekonomiya," Poe said.

Among others, Poe is pushing for inclusive, rapid and sustainable growth in which no one is left behind under the "Gobyernong may Puso."

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