Siayan, Zamboanga del Norte — Local leaders and community stakeholders have joined forces to combat poverty following the launch of Phase 1 of the Zero Poverty PH 2030 program led by Friends of Saint Mary MacKillop, Inc. (FSMMI).
FSMMI serves as a local convenor of the nationwide Zero Poverty PH 2030 initiative, which aims to improve incomes and expand access to essential services for 100,000 Filipino families by 2030. The first phase, Social Understanding for Responsive Interventions (SURI), runs from February to March 2026 across ten barangays in Siayan to gather community data and guide sustainable, locally tailored programs.
The initiative was introduced through a multi-sectoral stakeholders’ meeting attended by municipal officials, barangay leaders, indigenous representatives, and partners from the education and security sectors. FSMMI Founder and CEO Dean Klayford Bongat emphasized collaboration in addressing poverty, noting that collective action is essential to building resilient communities.
Local leaders expressed strong support for the initiative. Siayan Mayor Alberto Bongcawel highlighted the program’s potential to uplift communities through inclusive and sustainable development. Tribal leaders also welcomed continued support for indigenous children’s education and community empowerment.
Anchored on education, livelihood development, and community participation, the program seeks to strengthen local capacities and reduce poverty through data-driven planning and long-term partnerships aimed at creating resilient and self-sustaining communities.|
