Implementation of supplementary feeding in Caraga exceeds target in 2024
BUTUAN CITY -- The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga’s Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) completed its 14th program cycle in 2024 exceeding its target for hot meals and fully achieving its goal for fresh milk distribution among nutritionally at-risk children in the Caraga region.
The program served 77,854 children with hot meals, representing 102.72 percent of its target, and provided fresh milk to 5,885 children, achieving 100 percent of its target.
“We are incredibly proud of our team’s dedication and the strong support from our Local Government Unit partners, which enabled us to surpass our meal target and reach every child targeted for milk supplementation,” said DSWD FO Caraga SFP Focal Person, Lea Alegarbes, nutrition dietician (ND) III.
Despite these successes, the SFP faced challenges during implementation. A key concern is the current budget allocation of P15.00 per meal, which program implementers acknowledge may not be sufficient to achieve optimal weight gain and nutritional recovery for all children. Lengthy local procurement processes, often taking 3-5 months due to supplier availability and complex bidding procedures, also posed logistical hurdles. However, the DSWD Field Office Caraga SFP Unit worked closely with suppliers and local government units (LGUs) to maximize available resources and minimize disruptions.
Looking ahead to 2025, the SFP is
implementing significant improvements and launching new initiatives to enhance
its impact and address these challenges. These efforts focus on four key areas:
Streamlining Procurement: To ensure
timely implementation at the start of the school year in June, the procurement
of goods for 2025 will transition to regional procurement, streamlining the
purchasing process and reducing delays.
Enhancing Support Services: The
program will strengthen its “WE CARE” initiative by hiring additional social
workers. This expansion will broaden program coverage and improve referral
systems, connecting families with essential extra services such as health
check-ups, counseling, and parental skills training as part of a more
comprehensive intervention plan.
A Holistic Approach to Nutrition:
Recognizing that malnutrition is often rooted in complex social factors, the
SFP will adopt a more integrated approach in 2025. This means combining
nutrition-specific activities (like meal feeding) with nutrition-sensitive
activities that address underlying issues such as poverty, limited access to
education, and other social determinants of health. This holistic strategy aims
to create a more supportive and nurturing environment for children’s growth and
development.
“In line with the directive of Sec.
Rex Gatchalian in addressing the root causes of malnutrition, we aim to create
sustainable improvements in children’s health and well-being,” explained
Alegarbes.
Furthermore, SFP is excited to
introduce the following new community-based initiatives:
Community Organizing: This initiative
will focus on empowering communities by strengthening backyard gardening
practices and enhancing the skills of Day-care Service Parents Groups in
promoting healthy nutrition at home.
Referrals: The program will establish
stronger referral pathways to government offices and NGOs for medical
interventions, such as deworming and micronutrient supplementation, and for
livelihood and skills training opportunities for parents and caregivers.
Stakeholder Training: To ensure
effective implementation of these new initiatives, the program will conduct
comprehensive orientations and training for stakeholders, including local
government officials, daycare workers, parents, and community volunteers.
The DSWD Field Office Caraga’s Supplementary Feeding Program is committed to a comprehensive, community-driven approach to combating malnutrition. By addressing both immediate nutritional needs and underlying social factors, the program aims to create sustainable improvements in the health and well-being of Caraga’s children. With the 2025 initiatives, the SFP is poised to make a significant and lasting difference in the region. (DSWD Caraga/PIA-Caraga)
