The Okada Foundation, Inc. (OFI)’s Food Share Program, in partnership with Kabisig ng Kalahi (KnK), returned to Quezon province to include 150 more families as its beneficiaries.
60 families from the barangays of Sablang and Marcelino in the municipality of General Nakar and 90 families from Dolores, Quezon, were among the latest to join the hundreds of families under OFI’s Food Share Program.
According to OFI President James Lorenzana, the Food Share Program (FSP) was initiated to provide food security and livelihood possibilities to its family-beneficiaries, “while empowering them to be self-reliant and properly trained to make use of the agricultural opportunities available or provided to them.” At the launching ceremony in the two municipalities,
“The Okada Foundation and Kabisig ng Kalahi identified that agriculture crop development for raw materials needed in manufacturing food for export could be one of the most productive opportunities for our beneficiaries in Dolores,” Lorenzana continued. “This will mean not only leveling up the economic condition of the municipality but also good earnings for the Okada Food Share Program family beneficiaries.”
“The surrounding area at the foot of Mt Banahaw, with its rich soil is perfect for this,” KnK Founder Victoria Wieneke added. “Currently, there is no big industry in this area, and residents rely mostly on micro-enterprises, agriculture, and tourism anchored on its beautiful mountain range.”
In General Nakar, OFI and KnK identified 90 families from the local Dinagat communities as its beneficiaries.
“General Nakar is home to thousands of Dumagats, among one of the Southern Tagalog’s more prominent groups of indigenous peoples” the OFI President pointed out. “The Okada Foundation sought to reach out to them, and let them know that they are not forgotten as we try to uplift different Filipino communities.”
“We’re happy to report that they returned our efforts to reach out with the enthusiasm to get started in cultivating their lands,” he added.
According to Lorenzana, the success of the Food Share Program is a testament to the potential of shared projects between the public and private sector. “We thank the local government units of Dolores and General Nakar for their cooperation to make this a successful project,” said Lorenzana. “The Food Share Program will continue to find more beneficiaries and communities to uplift, and we’re ready to work with more partners in our public sector.”
