Cebu City supports NNC’s ‘Kitchen on Wheels’ program

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City is scaling up its efforts to combat hunger and malnutrition through a trio of mobile and community-based interventions that blend emergency response, nutrition education, and food affordability.

In a recent courtesy visit, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) proposed the “Kitchen on Wheels” NutriVan, a mobile nutrition hub designed to serve as both a food ambulance and a wellness classroom.

The NutriVan will offer container gardening modules, cooking demonstrations, dietary consultations, mothers’ classes, and emergency feeding services—bringing nutrition education directly to barangays.

Mayor Nestor Archival expressed full support for the initiative, including the appointment of a full-time nutrition action officer to ensure sustained implementation.

“Let’s collectively build a healthier, well-nourished Cebuano community,” Archival said in a post.

Complementing this developmental approach is the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) Kalusugan Food Truck Program, which has already been deployed in Cebu City recently.

Unlike the NutriVan, the OVP’s mobile kitchen is focused on rapid emergency response, providing hot meals to disaster victims and frontliners.

It’s a logistical lifeline during typhoons, floods, and other crises—designed for immediate relief rather than long-term behavioral change.

Meanwhile, Cebu City has also joined the national rollout of the “Benteng Bigas Meron Na” program, offering P20-per-kilo rice to food-poor families.

Launched at Plaza Sugbo, in partnership with Department of Social Welfare and Development 7, Department of Agriculture 7, and National Food Authority Cebu Cebu, the initiative supports the Kadiwa ng Pangulo directive and aims to stabilize rice prices while safeguarding local farmers.

Together, these three programs form a layered strategy: the NutriVan builds nutritional literacy and resilience; the OVP kitchen delivers emergency sustenance; and Benteng Bigas ensures daily affordability.

Free daily meals

Meanwhile, in a move to combat child malnutrition and boost learning outcomes, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced it will now provide free daily meals to all kindergarten learners in public schools across the Philippines.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara made the announcement this week, highlighting the expansion of the School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP) as a crucial step in ensuring that every Filipino child begins their educational journey healthy and well-nourished.

“This is a significant step forward in ensuring every child has the nutrition they need to thrive in school. With the strong support of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., this vision is becoming a reality,” said Angara.

The Marcos administration has allocated P11.77 billion for the SBFP in 2025, with an even larger proposed budget of P14 billion in 2026.

The program will now serve hot meals and fortified food products to all kindergarten students, regardless of nutritional status, over a 120-day feeding cycle.

Severely wasted learners from Grades 1 to 6 will continue to receive support, with the total reach expected to hit 3.4 million students nationwide.

Dr. Letlet Mission, regional nutrition program coordinator of the National Nutrition Council (NNC)-7, hailed the expansion as a “game-changer for Philippine education and child welfare.”

“Providing free daily meals to all kindergarten learners is not just about combating hunger, it’s an investment in the nation’s future,” said Mission. — /JG (FREEMAN)