THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7 has lauded the local government units (LGUs) in the region for their effective implementation of the Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) which has benefited more than 150,000 children.
DSWD 7 Director Shalaine Marie Lucero, in a statement on Sunday, June 29 2025, acknowledged the active participation and commitment of 130 cities and municipalities throughout Central Visayas.
The LGUs’ efforts ensured the success of the program’s 14th cycle, which provided nutritious meals over 120 feeding days to a total of 150,637 children.
The SFP is part of the government’s initiative to combat malnutrition and improve the nutritional status of children aged two to five years old enrolled in Child Development Centers and Supervised Neighborhood Plays.
The program also extends its reach to undernourished children up to 12 years old.
Meals provided through the SFP meet one-third of the recommended energy and nutrient intake and are prepared using locally available or indigenous ingredients.
These provisions include fortified hot meals, nutribuns, enhanced nutripacks, and fresh milk, specifically targeting undernourished beneficiaries.
Aside from the daily feeding sessions, the program integrates comprehensive growth monitoring activities at the start and end of each cycle.
It also offers parenting effectiveness sessions designed to educate parents on vital topics such as proper nutrition and child care practices.
The SFP operates under the framework of Republic Act 11037, also known as the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act, a key component of the broader Early Childhood Care and Development program.
National data indicates that nearly four million children nationwide have benefited from the SFP, with Central Visayas significantly contributing to this figure, largely due to the strong cooperation among its LGUs, according to the DSWD 7. / CDF