A total of 146, 148 pre- schoolers enrolled in 4,372 day care centers in 108 Local Government Units in Bicol are benefitting from the DSWD’s Supplemental Feeding Program. It has a total funding of 227 million. Each day care child have an allocation of 15.00 per day for a period of 120 days.

The Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) is the provision of food in addition to the regular meals as part of the DSWD’s Contribution to the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCO) program of the government. The food supplementation will be in a form of hot meals to be served during snacks/ meal time to children minimum of five and maximum of seven days a week for a period of 120 days.

Children beneficiaries will be weighed at the start of the feeding and monthly. Thereafter until completion of 120 feeding days to determine improvement and sustenance in their nutritional status.

The feeding program is managed by parents/caregivers based on a prepared cycle menu using indigenous food supplies. Parents prepare and cook the hot meals of the children in groups every day. Every cooking session serves as the time for the parents to bond and be friends. It is also an opportunity to show their own cooking techniques that can be done at home.

Aside from the food preparation, parent’s involvement in other related activities of the program promotes camaraderie, discipline, and cooperation. It also generates full support from parents and other stakeholders to the plight of the malnourished children.

The DSWD’s Supplementary Feeding Program is a strong weapon to fight malnutrition. ###eejerusalem