GENERAL SANTOS CITY (February 14, 2022) – Ramon Derige (center, standing) executive director of Seaoil Foundation Inc., reports the accomplishments of the implementation of SFI’s “Tugon sa Gutom” program in Sarangani, particularly in the municipality of Alabel. Derige and his team from SFI convened with (from left) Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Bernard Cababat, Assistant Provincial Administrator Engr. Gerald Faciol, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Arvin Alejandro, and other representatives from the Provincial Health Office, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, and Provincial Planning and Development Office, on February 10 at Greenleaf Hotel, to discuss SFI’s program which is aligned with the priorities of the provincial and municipal government in addressing the issues of hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition. Derige said the foundations’ partnership with the government is aimed at helping communities and families produce food at home. “With Tugon sa Gutom program, we are promoting family farms like backyard gardening for the purpose of primarily for food production at home,” he said. “And if they have excess produce, they can sell the extra goods for them to have an additional income.” SFI’s Tugon sa Gutom program has piloted in Alabel in 2021 and has already benefited 194 of the 247 target families in the municipality. This year, SFI targets to continue its program in the municipality of Maasim. “We in the foundation are very thankful and appreciative of the government’s support in this partnership,” Derige said. (Jori Mae R. Samillano/SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)