Gordon's food donation law to address RP's hunger problem

Addressing the alarming hunger problem in the country is among the top priorities of Senator Richard J. Gordon and his running mate Bayani Fernando, former Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman.

Gordon, author of Republic Act No. 9803 (RA 9803) or the Food Donation Act of 2009, relays that Bagumbayan - Volunteers for a New Philippines, their political party, aims to address the growing hunger problem in the country and at the same time bring back dignity to the poor.

"We welcome the signing of the Food Donation Act. Our people, a good portion of them, go to bed hungry. There is food insecurity. And therefore, we want to reach out to those who don't have the capability to feed themselves," he said.

"However, this measure is not intended as a dole out but a breach to hunger while the recipients are looking for decent employment so they would become enabled, ennobled and free, which is Bagumbayan's vision of a new Philippines," he added.

Gordon and Bayani, candidates for president and vice president, respectively, have adopted the moniker the "Transformers" for their partnership, a fusion of two performers who aim to transform the minds and hearts of the people to build character for a better Philippines. In authoring the Food Donation Act which was signed into law last Nov. 25, Gordon aims to help out the 16 million Filipinos who, according to the National Statistics Coordination Board (NSCB) live below the food or subsistence threshold.

It is noteworthy to note that 16 million of our countrymen cannot provide for their daily basic food requirements, while large amounts of excess food are wasted everyday in fast food chains, restaurants, hotels, grocery stores and even during parties like weddings, birthdays and fiestas.

To be qualified as food donations these food surpluses should meet all quality and labeling standards as imposed by current laws and regulations. Gordon, also chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), said the idea is to collect excess food, not leftovers that are about to be thrown out.

He qualifies that Red Cross volunteers or other non-government organizations (NGOs) will do the collection and distribution.

"Ang ideya nito, halimbawa kung nagpaparty ka, marami kang excess food, o yung sa mga buffet. Hindi yung pinagkainan, hindi yung tira kundi yung hindi nagalaw na pagkain, kukunin yan ng mga taga-Red Cross, o kaya iba't ibang mga tao. At alinsunod sa isang plano na bibigyan yung mga taong hirap na hirap sa buhay, sila ay bibigyan," the Bagumbayan standard-bearer said.