In line with the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-IX), a total of 30 underweight children in Zamboanga Sibugay province are recipients of the 3-month nutri-feeding program of the Department. The feeding program in Sanito, Ipil, Sibugay was also part of the celebration of the National Nutrition Month, which is conducted annually by the National Nutrition Council, in collaboration with the local government units and line government agencies.
In the last Regional Science and Technology Week (RSTW) celebration held last July 4-9 in Dipolog City, the DOST-IX also implemented a nutri-feeding activity in Nabilid barangay, Roxas Municipality, Zamboanga del Norte. Around 31 underweight children are also beneficiaries of the 3-month feeding program.
Specifically, the nutri-feeding program involves the provision of 3-month supply of nutri-booster cereals. Nutri-booster is a protein-energy rich food for children from 6 months old and above. It is made from rice, mungbean, sesame and soybean. It can adequately provide the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of a gram protein per kilogram bodyweight per day. Nutri-booster is one of the various products assisted by the DOST-IX through its Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP). The daily feeding for 3-months is being handled by the Municipal Nutrition Action Officer (MNAO) and Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) of the chosen barangay-recipients.
Baseline data on nutritional status of the children-recipients were gathered and will be monitored and analyzed on a monthly basis. The need to measure the progress or impact of the feeding program is very crucial to determine the effectiveness of the feeding program. Should there be a need to further extend the supply of nutri-booster to attain the recommended weight of a particular child, the DOST-IX will continue to intervene to achieve better outcomes. (Thelma E. Diego/DOST IX Press Release)
