DSWD allots P231M for feeding program

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 has allocated almost P231 million for the implementation of its Supplementary Feeding Program in partnership with the 132 local government units in Central Visayas.

“We are investing this much for the SFP because we believe that we are also investing for the future of the country,” said DSWD-7 regional director Mercedita Jabagat in a statement.

Jabagat said that a total of P184,795,200 will be given to the LGUs for the viand and P46,198,800.00 will be transferred to the National Food Authority for the rice purchase.

DSWD-7 targets 153,996 children beneficiaries in Region-7 wherein Cebu has 81,622; Negros Oriental has 36,984; Bohol has 36,984 and 2,519 has Siquijor.

Children will be weighed at the start of the feeding program. They will also be weighed after 60 days since it started and after the 120 days completion of the feeding days in order to determine the improvement of their nutritional status.

Each LGU, the statement said, shall procure the needed goods with proper supporting documents and shall take full responsibility in the proper disbursement and liquidation of funds with the implementation of the said program.

Under this program, the budget per meal is of P13 per child in a day, wherein P10 is for the purchase of the viand and P3 is allocated for the iron fortified rice.

It added that cooking utensils have a budget of P1,000 per day care center while the eating utensils cost P75 per child.

The feeding program will be managed by parents based on a prepared meal cycle using available indigenous food supplies.

This feeding program of DSWD, which is now on its fourth cycle, was implemented in the year 2011 and is set to end until 2015.

Aside from this program, SFP aims to improve the knowledge, attitude and practices of children, parents and caregivers through intensified nutrition and health education.

SFP, which is a major anti-hunger program of DSWD, targets an improved and sustained nutritional status of the children beneficiaries, who will be served with hot meals during snack and meal time for five days in a week for 120 days in LGU-managed day care centers and supervised neighborhood play groups. — (FREEMAN)