2,500 Dagupan Kids to Enjoy Free Lunch for 160 Days

Dagupan City (PNA)– More than 2,500 pupils enrolled in the city’s 42 Day Care Centers are set to enjoy free hot lunch for 160 days starting this month.

This is provided by a new feeding project of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 1 and the city government that has been on going since two years ago.

City Nutrition Officer Leah L. Aquino handed over to Mayor Belen Fernandez during the flag raising ceremony at the City People’s Astrodome on July 13 a check worth P3.9 million from DSWD Region 1 to bankroll the feeding project.

The check was received by Aquino in behalf of the city government when Mayor Fernandez was on a 10-day visit in the United States upon the invitation of members of Dagupan City associations in California.

“The fund will be used purposely to feed the children in all the Day Care Centers to improve their nutritional status,” said Aquino.

Aquino said under a program approved by the DSWD and the city government, parents of the day care children themselves will do the buying of the foodstuffs, cooking, setting the tables and cleaning the dishes and utensils while their teachers will supervise the feeding process.

Immediately going to work after coming from the U.S., Fernandez led in a program after the flag-raising ceremony.

She thanked the DSWD for again choosing Dagupan as a recipient of the feeding program coinciding with the Nutrition Month celebration this July on the theme “Timbang Iwasto sa Tamang Timbang at Ehersisyo”.

She said that Dagupan is so blessed for this privilege being accorded by the administration of President Benigno Aquino III.

“This is the result of the continuing trust and confidence of the national government in us in keeping our city free from corruption ,” said Fernandez.

Aquino said that the feeding project will start soon after the bidding of the food items is completed. (PNA) CTB/LVMICUA/RMA