Gov’t targets 1.5M learners for supplemental feeding - DSWD

Metro Manila, Philippines - The government aims to provide hot meals for 1.5 million learners in child development centers this year, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the supplemental feeding program, which has a P5.1 billion-budget, will begin in June and run for 120 days.

He said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered an increase in the unit cost of hot meals, from P15 to P25 pesos. Undernourished children will also be given fresh milk with a unit cost of P22.

He said local government units must procure the food from local farmers and small agricultural cooperatives in their community.

“Ang preferred modality namin [Our preferred modality] is [to] download the funds to the local government units, they themselves conduct the community procurement and we encourage central kitchens or community kitchens in the day care centers themselves,” Gatchalian said in a briefing.

Parenting effectiveness

Meanwhile, Gatchalian said the modules for the Parenting Effectiveness Service program are near completion.

He said the DSWD consulted child and family psychologists to come up with modules that tackle teenage pregnancy, nutrition, good manners and right conduct, and anti-bullying, among others.

“Kami ang magpo-provide ng framework sa mga magulang,” the DSWD chief said. “‘Yong mga module na tinutukoy ko ay framework that we will give to local government units para isang template tayo on parent effectiveness.”

[Translation: We will provide the framework to the parents. The modules are frameworks that we will give to local government units so that we have one template for parent effectiveness.]