More than 6,000 malnourished children in day care centers, ages three to six years old, in 14 towns will be the beneficiaries of the provincial government’s 120-day supplemental feeding program to be launched officially in Argao.
Evelyn Senajon, provincial Early Child Care Development officer, said that 6,269 of the 20,360 children in day care centers established in 14 towns will be the recipients of hot meals starting February 14.
These kids will be given rice with toppings for 120 days. Children in day care centers who have no weight problem will be given chocolate milk for 120 days also.
The Council for the Welfare of Children gave P16 million for said program, while the provincial government gave P7 million counterpart.
Aside from the supplemental feeding program, mothers of the 6,269 malnourished children will be given P500 each to start a small-scale business.
Senajon, however, said that the P500 is not a dole-out, but will be payable in one year at P2 a day.
In relation to this, provincial development officer Marivic Racho-Garces said that they would want the program replicated in some other towns in the province but would have to wait for the evaluation on the success rate of the program.
It was also learned from her that Balamban posted as the town with the most number of children in day care centers. Of the 2,043 kids, 803 of them were found to be malnourished.
Aside from Argao and Balamban, the municipalities of Badian, Bantayan, Daanbantayan, Madridejos, Minglanilla, San Francisco, Sogod, Sta. Fe, Tabuelan, Tuburan, Poro and Tudela also have high incidence of malnutrition. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/MEEV