Arroyo Signs Order To Promote Gov't Anti-Poverty Program

MANILA (Jason Carlos / 04 Jan) – President Gloria Arroyo has signed an executive order strengthening the role of national convergence groups which promote the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan (KALAHI) program.

She said the government is all set to strengthen its nationwide program to reduce poverty and promote economic equity throughout the country.

The Executive Order No. 569 defines the role of the Regional KALAHI Convergence Groups (RKCGs) in the comprehensive peace process to address internal armed conflicts and their root causes, which include poverty and economic inequity, among others.

Arroyo has earlier institutionalized KALAHI as the government’s strategy for poverty reduction, and enjoins government agencies to observe multi-stakeholder and interagency convergence in all poverty reduction activities.

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), under Secy. Jesus Dureza, which oversees and coordinates the implementation of the government’s comprehensive peace process, has established close linkages among different stakeholders and local government units to promote Kalahi and aggressively implement its programs. (Mindanao Examiner)