P-Noy enjoys Jollibee moment

MANILA, Philippines - It was a Jollibee treat for President Aquino, but it was not a yumburger or chicken joy but a round of applause from the audience that was longer than usual as they stood up when he was introduced during the awarding ceremony for the food chain’s school feeding program in Mandaluyong City yesterday.

The President attended the 2nd Busog, Lusog, Talino (BLT) Excellence Awards. Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF)’s School BLT Feeding Program (SBFP) addresses hunger among public school pupils from kindergarten to Grade 6 by providing them daily lunch so they can stay in school and learn better.

During the awarding, the Jollibee Group, led by chairman Tony Tan Caktiong, recognized schools that showed exemplary performance in implementing the BLT program.

In his speech, Aquino stressed the importance of the program, noting that hungry and undernourished students even if intelligent could not possibly excel in school.

“This we know: since the young people do not have the awareness and do not have enough capability yet, it is our responsibility to take care of them. If we are remiss in molding them, it is tantamount to neglecting their future,” the President said.

“Isn’t it that in the coming days, they will be the ones to make decisions that will affect the next generation? Our duty: ensure that they are ready when that time comes,” he added.

The Chief Executive further cited his administration’s efforts in improving the education sector, particularly in addressing the shortage in classrooms, teachers, chairs and textbooks.

He said the Department of Social Welfare and Development was also conducting a supplementary feeding program, which had benefited some 1.77 million pupils in day care centers.

“I am happy to report to you that last year, SBFP was allotted with P2.27-billion funding that improved the nourishment of almost 1.2 million students,” Aquino said.

The President also noted the deworming program of the Department of Health, which he said had so far reached some 11.5 million children enrolled in public elementary schools.

Aquino then lauded JGF for its program as it helped the government address the country’s problem of hunger and malnutrition in schools.

“There are young people who are deprived of a better future because of lack of nutrition. With your dedication and cooperation, you are able to give them hope. Aside from that, you also serve as a good example and inspiration to other communities,” he said.

The grand winner of the excellence award was the Daniel M. Perez Elementary School in Davao City for the SBFP category, and the Francisco Laya Memorial Integrated School in Iligan City for the BLT category. Each school received P200,000.

Regional winners for the SBFP category were the Taal Elementary School in Iloilo City and the Vedasto F. Corcuera Elementary School in Davao City.