With the Department of Education kicking off its Nationwide School-Based Feeding Program, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles on Tuesday led the distribution of Enhanced Nutribuns (E-Nutribuns) at the Bagong Silang Elementary School in Caloocan, and stressed that the initiative is consistent with the theme adopted by the Department of Education (DepEd) for the launching of this year’s school-based feeding program, “Para sa bata, ibigay ang tama.”
“It’s not enough to make sure our schoolchildren eat the right amount of food––they have to eat an adequate amount of nutritious food,” said Nograles, head of the government’s Zero Hunger Task Force.
Students from seven participating public elementary schools joined the Nationwide School-Based Feeding Program launching ceremonies held at the Bagong Silang Elementary School in Caloocan.
“It’s not enough to make sure our schoolchildren eat the right amount of food––they have to eat an adequate amount of nutritious food.”
The program aims to augment the food intake of public school children in order to prevent common issues associated with inadequate diets, such as stunting and malnutrition.
According to Nograles: “The E-Nutribun is an example of science-driven solutions adopted by the government in order to address health issues like malnutrition.”
“This, in particular, is a concrete example of how new technologies are applied by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) under the Duterte Administration, with the end in view of solving problems like hunger and poverty.”
The E-Nutribun is a product of research and studies conducted by the DOST-FNRI. Made primarily from squash and fortified with protein, iron, and Vitamin A, the E-Nutribun is healthier and tastier than the original version.
The E-Nutribun is a product of research and studies conducted by the DOST-FNRI. Made primarily from squash and fortified with protein, iron, and Vitamin A, the E-Nutribun is healthier and tastier than the original version. Since its introduction, the DOST-FNRI reports that it has been deluged with requests to adopt their formula.
Also present at the launch were Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan, DepEd Regional Director NCR Dr. Malcom Garma, Caloocan Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Nerissa Losaria CESO IV, Chief of the Deped School Health Division BLSS Dr. Maria Corazon Dumlao, DOST Regional Director for NCR Dr. Jose Patalinjug III, Dr. Mario Capanzana former Director of DOST-FNRI, and the principals, teachers, and parents of students enrolled at the Bagong Silang ES 4th Avenue, Maypajo Elementary School, Pangarap Elementary School, Sampalukan Elementary School, Lerma Elementary School, Cecilio Apostol Elementary School, and Libis Talisay Elementary School.