DSWD: Over 3 million Filipino kids nourished by gov’t feeding programs

by Gabriel Pabico Lalu, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Jul 10, 2019

MANILA, Philippines –At least 3.9 million Filipino children have received nourishment from the government’s feeding program since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said.

During a pre-State of the Nation Address (Sona) forum on Wednesday, DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista said the children were given “healthy, nutritious, and locally-sourced food.”

Bautista also boasted of DSWD’s efforts to feed undernourished children in a span of a year.

“In 2018, DSWD has served more than 1.7 million children in daycare centers. On the part of the DepEd (Department of Education), over 2.1 undernourished learners have been provided food with high nutritional value,” the former military official said.

“These feeding programs have shown positive impact not only in mitigating nutrition deficiencies of school children, but also in keeping them in school,” he added.

According to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) of the Department of Science and Technology, undernutrition is a form malnutrition. Other forms include specific nutrient deficiency, overnutrition and imbalance.

Data gathered by the FNRI in 2016 showed that the number of Filipino children who were underweight and stunted or those with weight and height problems have increased.

According to the report, about two out of 10 children are underweight, while three out of 10 are stunted. A separate report claimed that around 300,000 children, on the other hand, are severely malnourished.

The President is set to deliver his Sona on July 22, when the 18th Congress convenes on its first session day. (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)