ETOT FOOD CARTS. Mayor Nestor L. Alvarez (center) together with Muņoz constituents during the distribution of Food Carts held last Nov.10 2005 at Science CityGymnasium.

As part of the City Government's initiative in poverty alleviation, Mayor Nestor L. Alvarez recently distributed Food Carts to 18 underprivileged citizens chosen from the different barangays of the city last November 10, 2005. The recipients were selected under strict guidelines and criteria and were based upon the recommendation of the City Social Welfare and Development Office who were tasked to interview the applicants.

The ETOT food carts, which stands for Ekonomiyang Tumutugon sa Obra ng Taumbayan, is the city government's response to the United Nations Millennium Development Goal No. 1 (Alisin ang matinding paghihikahos at kagutuman) and inclusive with cooking implements such as gas burner with hose and regulator, frying pans and casseroles. A Php 5,000.00 loan was also given to the beneficiaries as their starting capital.Carts and loan will be paid via installment on a daily basis for the next three years.

Being one of the pilot sites of the UN-MDG Localization in the Philippines, the city has been exerting extra effort in mainstreaming the MDGs at the local level. The distribution of ETOT food carts is a vicarious step and a crucial component of Mayor's strong willed commitment of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger in the Science City of Muņoz.