MANILA, Philippines - Malnutrition among children is an alarming health problem, which poses an opportunity for private and non-profit organizations to provide immediate help and keep that help in the ring sustainable.
This is why the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), and ICTSI Foundation held a partnership to launch the Lusog Dunong supplemental feeding project year 2.
Already in its second year, the program’s target is to benefit 1,940 children from Parola and Isla Puting Bato day care centers, and kindergarten and Grade 1 students from Rosauro Almario Elementary School (RAES) annexes in Parola and Isla Puting Bato in Barangay 20, Tondo, Manila.
PBSP executive director Rafael Lopa says that major investment in children’s health and development is certainly needed. He also commended ICTSI for committing into such effort.
“As we all know, the most important asset of every nation is its people, so with this effort, we can hope for a brighter future,” notes Lopa.
Last March, the round one of the project profited 800 pupils, which resulted in the increase in weight of more than 740 beneficiaries, 243 of them underweight when the feeding program began. Better results were also seen in the improved attendance and academic performance of the pupils.
Parents of the beneficiary children were given training on basic health and nutrition, financial literacy, and household management to ensure that positive results are sustained.
Lopa, in his speech during the launch of Lusog Dunong 2, acknowledged the significant contribution of the City of Manila through its District Social Welfare Office and City Health Office; the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC); and the local government of Barangay 20, Tondo, Manila.
Since 1991, ICTSI is one of most active member companies of PBSP in practicing corporate citizenship. It has granted as much as P20 million for social development initiatives that focus on health and education.
Last June, ICTSI and PBSP turned over a computer laboratory to help an Ondoy-devastated school in Zambales. A refresher course on computer-based teaching was also provided.
Another turnover of equipment was held at Juan Nolasco and Tondo high schools under the Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) program. Likewise, the teachers were also given refresher training on TLE course management.
Meanwhile, ICTSI-PBSP’s fifth year of scholarship program was launched last month benefiting more than 100 students from Tondo and Raja Sulayman high schools.
Interested companies that would like to integrate corporate citizenship into their operations can approach PBSP.