Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (PAHP): Food Security Gains and Implementation Challenges in Agrarian Reform Communities

Social Science

The Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (PAHP) is a Philippine government initiative evaluated in this study for its effectiveness in enhancing food security and addressing implementation challenges among Agrarian Reform Communities. To carry out this assessment, a quantitative descriptive survey design was employed using a researcher-made questionnaire validated by experts. A total of 100 respondents were drawn from three ARBOs actively engaged in the program: the San Roque Farmers Producers Cooperative (SRFPC), the Maticdum Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MFMPC), and the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries of Tubo-tubo Aras-asan Cooperative (AGREBETARCO). The results indicate that PAHP has produced meaningful gains, most notably in reducing child undernourishment and establishing stronger institutional-market linkages. These outcomes affirm the program’s role in stabilizing community nutrition and creating economic opportunities for farmer cooperatives. Nevertheless, the relatively lower rating for access to affordable nutritious food reveals persistent gaps at the household level, where structural barriers such as rural poverty, high food prices, and limited distribution systems hinder equitable access. In addition, the findings highlight that weak participation and limited communication among ARBO members remain the most pressing challenges. Without strong community engagement, PAHP risks being perceived as externally driven rather than community-owned, which undermines sustainability and reduces its transformative potential. Overall, the study concludes that while PAHP significantly contributes to food security, its long-term success requires strengthening grassroots participation, addressing affordability barriers, and enhancing resource support to achieve more inclusive and sustainable outcomes.

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