TABUK CITY (13 August) -- "With the hunger mitigation program of President Gloria Macapagal–Arroyo, we hope that it will not only elevate the people from poverty but also their health status. And the responsibility lies in our hands".

This is the challenge posed by Kalinga Governor Floydelia Diasen to the Department of Agriculture (DA) and local agriculturists as she challenged them to alleviate the people of the province from malnutrition and hunger incidents as shown by the latest Social Weather Station (SWS) survey.

It is unfortunate that Kalinga being the rice bowl of the Cordilleras suffers from hunger and malnutrition, Diasen said as she urged government workers to not only depend on the seeds being given to the people but to include in their work capability building program for the people.

"We should not stop in providing the people seed supplies, since it is also very important that they will be taught how to improve their yield, improve their living condition and how teach them how to provide the needed nutrition for their family especially the children," she said.

The governor also suggested the encouragement of backyard gardening among households, stating that Kalinga compared to other places has vast lands just waiting to be developed.