Hunger mitigation program addresses malnutrition
San Jose, Antique -- As the July Nutrition Month celebration draws to a close, Ma. Carmen Tubianosa, Nutrition Officer of the Provincial Nutrition Committee disclosed that the culmination program is slated on August 8, 2006 at the Evelio B. Javier Freedom Park.
Highlight of the celebration is the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the National Food Authority (NFA) implementing the Hunger Mitigation Program in the five school districts of Anini-y, Belison, Libertad, Barbaza and Sebaste.
The selection of recipient schools, Tubianosa pointed out was based on the 2005 Nutrition findings that these schools were reported to have higher incidence of malnutrition.
Under the Hunger Mitigation Program, pre-schoolers and Grade I pupils in the identified school districts are given rations of fortified rice based on guidelines as a means to combat the menace of malnutrition especially in the target age group.
The program covers 10 schools in Anini-y, 9 schools in Belison, 10 schools in Libertad, 20 schools in Barbaza and 10 schools in Sebaste.
Tubianosa further revealed that the Provincial Government through the Nutrition Office has distributed 100 sacks of fortified rice in the identified municipalities for children in nutritionally depressed barangays. This move will boost the campaign against malnutrition.
Fortified rice distribution is an ongoing intervention to improve the nutritional status of children, who are the focus of this year's Nutrition Month celebration with the theme "Kumain Nang Right Para Maging Batang Bright," Tubianosa emphasized.
(EA Abasquez/PIA)