Cebu City has once again emerged as one of the best in promoting good nutrition through its Comprehensive Barangay Nutrition Program, which has been described by the Regional Nutrition Council as “one of the good practices in the Region” for 2008.
The National Nutrition Council has sent formal communications to Mayor Tomas Osmeña, which said the city is among the council’s awardees on August 4, 2008. The awarding ceremony will be held at the Cebu International Convention Center.
City administrator Francisco Fernandez said the city government, through its consultant and former Cebu City Mayor Florentino Solon, has been consistent in the implementation of its nutrition program, one of which is the so-called “Nutri-Pan sa Eskwelahan” or the Vitamin A- fortified bread sold in schools at P1 each.
Fernandez said more than 20 schools in the city have already opened their own bakeries with the financial assistance coming from Cebu City north district Rep. Raul del Mar’s Priority Development Assistance Fund.
Aside from those in schools, Fernandez said the city is also strengthening its barangay-based nutrition program so as to benefit people at the grassroots level.
Osmeña said that there will be more schools in the south district that will soon have their own bakeries that sell the fortified bread.
Osmeña said the city is thankful to Solon for his support to the city’s nutrition program. Solon currently heads the Nutrition Center of the Philippines.
“For all intents and purposes, I just follow his instructions. Whatever his suggestion, we will follow. I’m glad he is there to help me because I am not an expert on the subject,” Osmeña said.
The mayor said the city has already spent millions of pesos for its feeding program and has continued to feed not only those in schools but also those out-of-school undernourished children.
Osmeña will be in Cagayan de Oro City today as guest of honor in the Philippine Association of Nutritionists conference there. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/JMO