In line with the celebration of July as Nutrition Month, Don Antonio O. Floirendo., Sr. Foundation, in partnership with the Tagum Agricultural Development Company (TADECO) and Feed the Children Philippines (FTCP), has implemented its six-month feeding program for undernourished children.
“We implemented this kind of program as a nutrition intervention to free children from malnutrition. This has been going on for three years now,” said Floirendo Foundation Programs director Russell Barrizo.
Barrizo added that the feeding program has already reached other schools in Bukidnon, specifically in Quezon and Don Carlos.
For this year’s feeding program, Floirendo Foundation Project staff Joy Ann V. Cabajes said 250 undernourished children have already been catered to starting last January at Brgy. Angliongto and Roxas Elementary School in Davao City and Brgy.Adecor in Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS).
“The program targets children from two years old and over because it is during this time when children undergo rapid growth and development and are susceptible to malnutrition,” saidCabajes.
The foods provided in the supplemental feeding program include arroz caldo, binignit, and champorado enriched with VITAMEAL, a rice and lentil entrée that is fortified with 25 essential vitamins and minerals formulated by Pharmanex scientist and world renowned experts in child nutrition.
After six months, “the team will assess the result of the feeding program by monitoring children’s weight,’’ said Cabajes.
Moreover, the mothers of undernourished children were provided with nutrition seminars on the importance of breastfeeding for newborn babies, meal plan preparation, and the importance of continuous supply of healthy food.
To strengthen the program, Floirendo Foundation conducted a training and orientation last July 13 at the TADECO training room for barangay health workers (BHW), barangay nutrition scholars (BNS), and city nutrition officers and staffs who will be handling the implementation of the feeding program, nutrition seminars for mothers as well as program monitoring.
Starting the month of August, an estimated 50 barangays and schools in Davao del Norte, Davao City and Bukidnon will benefit from the feeding program.
