PAGADIAN CITY, Philippines (PIA) – The Supplemental Feeding Program implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in partnership with the local government units with Day-Care Centers targeting three to five-year-old kids is expected to boost the health and nutritional status of some 66,000 children in Region 9.

DSWD-9 Director Teodulo Romo said the regional agency has already expended the amount of P10 million for the purchase of rice from the National Food Authority (NFA) to be distributed to some 2,101 daycare centers all over the region, which is intended for the first batch of the 60-day feeding sessions.

Likewise, the amount of P34,000 was also disbursed to the 69 local government units (LGUs) for the purchase of vegetables, meat and poultry products to complete the meal, and further enhance the nutritional value of the children’s meal, Romo added.

The program provides food supplementation in the form of hot meals served either during breakfast or before the afternoon session to children in daycare centers at five days a week for the period of 120 days.

The parents will manage the feeding program based on a prepared cycle menu using available indigenous food materials.

The children will be weighed and measured in height at the start of the feeding, and a monthly weight and height measurement will be conducted thereafter to determine improvements in their nutritional status.

It was learned that the program aims to provide supplementary feeding using indigenous foods and other available foods equivalent to one third of the Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intakes (RENIs) – to improve knowledge, attitude and practices of parents and caregivers through intensified nutrition and health education, to monitor the nutritional status and growth of all beneficiaries, and to assess and manage any health and nutrition-related problems.

DSWD nutritionist Jocelyn Gonzaga disclosed that the program will not only boost the health of the targeted children but will also encourage the parents to be responsible in preparing inexpensive but nutritious meals from resources that are available in the community.

In a related development, the city government of Bislig received more than P1.4 million for its Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP).

Bislig City Mayor Librado C. Navarro personally accepted the SFP funding from DSWD Region 13 Director Mercedita P. Jabagat City Mayor’s Office.

The turnover was witnessed by City Social Welfare and Development Officer Leticia M. Yu. (With a report from Mike U. Crismundo)