DSWD reinforces food security through supplementary feeding of Agusan Sur children
By Kelvin Kennt R. Generalo
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur (PIA) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Caraga conducted the third tranche of the inspection and distribution of food supplies for the Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) covering 55 child development centers (CDCs) and supervised neighborhood play (SNP) centers in the municipality of San Francisco, Agusan del Sur on July 15.
Dianne Jo Paloma, nutritionist-dietitian II of DSWD Caraga, shared that the SFP is being implemented across the region, with food distribution schedules varying by province, municipality, and city.
“Our recipients under the SFP are located throughout the region. Each province, municipality, and city has its own delivery schedule. Today, we are delivering food supplies to San Francisco, as well as the municipalities of Rosario and Loreto, which are included in this week’s distribution,” Paloma said.
In line with the celebration of Nutrition Month, Paloma emphasized that the program aims to improve the nutritional status of young children by providing them with nutritious meals while attending school.
“The SFP provides additional food on top of what children receive at home. It helps improve their growth and development while enhancing their ability to learn. When children are well-fed in school, they are less likely to become hungry during class and can focus better on their lessons,” she added.
Meanwhile, Annaliza Eco, the Supplementary Feeding Program focal person of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) of San Francisco, said the municipality has exceeded its initial target number of beneficiaries.
“The program originally targeted around 2,000 children in San Francisco. However, we now have 2,055 beneficiaries enrolled in 55 Child Development Centers. We accepted additional enrollees because DSWD promotes a ‘no one left behind’ policy, ensuring that all eligible children receive assistance,” Eco said.
She added that the municipality expects the number of beneficiaries to increase further as enrollment continues.
“We are anticipating additional enrollees, and we are committed to accommodating all of them. The feeding program provides hot meals that will be prepared and cooked at the Child Development Centers with the assistance of parents,” she added.
As mandated by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Supplementary Feeding Program is one of DSWD’s key nutrition interventions to combat malnutrition among children aged two to five and enrolled in the child development centers and supervised neighborhood play groups.
Through the provision of nutritious hot meals and milk over a designated feeding period, the program supports children’s healthy growth, improves school attendance, and contributes to their overall development. (KKRG, PIA Agusan del Sur with a report from PTV Agusan del Sur)
