DSWD allots 254M for supplementary feeding

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Western Visayas allotted P254 million for the Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) this year.

Nutritionist Dietician III Diana Alcantara, focal person for SFP said that around 192, 927 children in the region had benefited in the 120-day program.

SFP provided additional food to regular meals to children in Child Development Centers.

A total of 73,033 children in Negros Occidental benefitted from the program through a Php96.3-million funding; 61,317 children (Php80.9 million) in Iloilo; 21,687 children (Php28.6 million) in Antique; 18,835 children (Php24.8 million) in Capiz; 13,336 children (Php17.6 million) in Aklan; and 4,749 children, (Php6.2 million).

Every month, the Local Government Unit (LGU) weighs the beneficiaries and submits the weight record of the children on the 60th, 90th and 120thday of the SFP implementation.

“Makita naton ang improvement kung naka-90 days feeding ang bata sa center nga dire-diretso pero kung ang bata mga middle na nagsulod, indi mo guid makita ang improvement sang weight niya,” Alcantara said.

The program kicked off on June this year, just in time for the starting of classes.

According to Alcantara, hot meals consisting of rice and viands were served to children in their break time. Alternative meals, which usually include pasta and sandwiches, were served twice a week to break the monotony.

“Kadako ang nabulig niya (SFP) sa malnutnisyon especially ang mga kabataan naton nga ara sa bukid. Iban nga kabataan dira lang sa centermakakaon… makadto na sila sa center wala pa sila kapamahaw,” Alcantara said.

Furthermore, SFP boosts the appetite of children as they get to enjoy their food with their peers.

Values and proper table manners, such as saying prayer before meals, were also inculcated to the beneficiaries.

Parents were also taught of the nutritious food to serve their children at home, likewise the safety preparation of food.

“Na-learn namon paagi sa SFP nga mas damo ang benepisyo nga makuha sang kabataan sa vegetables  ilabi na guid nga imo mismo nga tanum nga bal-an mo nga wala siya chemicals,” Sharon Estember, a mother from Tubungan, Iloilo said.

Alcantara urged the parents to also enrol their pre-school children at Child Development Centers so that they can also avail the SFP.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

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