In addition to the regular meal served at the table, a supplemental feeding program was launched on 12 March 2020 in Barangay Pinamanagan, Abuyog Leyte for the identified malnourished children 6-59 months, high-risk pregnant mothers and mothers with children 6-23 months.

The program was formally introduced on Thursday in the said barangay with the presence of the National Nutrition Council VIII, the Provincial Government of Leyte and the Local Government Unit of Abuyog. The said program was coordinated by the Provincial Nutrition Office (PNO) of Leyte to its main benefactor, the Rise and Rebuild International Foundation with the aim of reducing the number of malnourished children in the area.

NNC VIII Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator, Dr. Catalino P. Dotollo, Jr. shared the important points of rearing and raising a child from its womb until the child reaches 2 years old and beyond. He emphasized that nurturing a child is a multi-sectoral obligation. Thus, the presence of stakeholders and their contribution is necessary for the attainment of a zero-malnutrition community. Further, nutrition-sensitive programs initiated by the different development partners to include the “Gulayan sa Paaralan” or “Gulayan sa Bahay” can shape the beautiful future of our children. Additionally, he stressed out the importance of the Barangay Nutrition Action Plan (BNAP) which serves as the guidepost of the local nutrition program implementation.

The launching also provided insights into the different nutrition-sensitive programs and projects of the Leyte Province particularly the PNO, the Provincial Agriculture Office and the Leyte Provincial Health Office. Cycle menu for the program was coordinated with the PHO and monitoring of the progress of the program shall be done by the LGU in coordination with PNO-Leyte and NNC VIII.

The Rise and Rebuild Foundation is committed to helping assist and uplift the poor in the country. The initial program of the Foundation began with the building of communal restrooms on Leyte and Cebu after Typhoon Haiyan devastated the islands in November 2013. Currently, the Foundation is helping communities building nutrition centers and vegetable gardens necessary for the feeding program in the different municipalities in the Province of Leyte. #JACañete