The Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC) extended on Thursday its support to the children of the Matigsalug tribe at the Bayanihan Elementary School at Baganihan, Marilog district due to cases of malnutrition among them.
The school is one of the implementing partners of the Busog, Lusog, Talino (BLT) Program of Jollibee Foundation Inc. to mitigate hunger and undernourishment that cause a decline in attendance among grades one and two pupils in public schools.
HCDC is conducting a monthly monitoring of the children’s health development, especially those who are registered with the feeding program.
Roniecel Loberanas, grade two adviser, said 40 pupils from Grade 1 and 2 are selected BLT beneficiaries because they have below normal nutritional status.
“The feeding program alleviates the short-term hunger of the children,” Loberanas emphasized.
She stressed that the children eat mainly cassava (kamoteng kahoy in the vernacular, when they don’t have rice. “That’s why they are delighted with the feeding program,” she said.
“The children don’t have to worry about food because their lunch is certain to be served, and that will compensate for their breakfast,” she said.
“Everyday ang feeding program sponsored by HCDC,” she added.
Marieta Gaer, school-in-charge, said that with the feeding program, the children have become healthy and active. She said the program has brought about the increase in weight among the children.
“Blessed ang Indigenous People (IP) kay daghan nagatabang sa ila (The Indigenous people are blessed because many people and organizations are helping them),” Gaer said. [PIA 11 Intern/Honey Shane Toe]
