Sunday, August 03, 2008 'Supplemental feeding' for undernourished pupils launched
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- A school supplemental feeding program was launched last Saturday at Sto. Niño Elementary School by village officials and the Barangay Nutrition Council (BNC) here.
During the launching, BNC officials said they have identified 40 undernourished pupils in the school.
Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, who was the program's guest of honor, said the City Government encourages local initiative and coordination with the BNCs for nutrition programs.
Dr. Rely Tungol, rural health physician of Barangay Sto. Niño, said the supplemental feeding program runs hand in hand with livelihood assistance for mothers of pupils in the school.
She added that the mothers would undergo training and will be assisted by the barangay to set up small businesses.
According to her, pupils will not continue to be healthy unless their families have a way to feed them good food.
"It is difficult to promote good nutrition if the family from where these children come from are also poor. With this program in place, we can be sure that after the supplemental feeding the not just the pupils will become healthy but also the entire family," Tungol said.
The feeding program will run for 90 days. Food stuffs will be provided by the barangay officials while the trainings would be facilitated by the City Social Welfare and Development Office. Initially, the local BNC identified 120 underweight pupils.
The Department of Health said malnutrition in the Philippines is caused by a host of interrelated factors -- health, physical, social, economic and others. Food supply and how it is distributed and consumed by the populace have consequent impact on nutritional status.
The present economic situation of the country further aggravates the malnutrition problem with about 28 million Filipinos unable to buy food to meet their nutritional requirements and other basic needs. (IOF)
