2nd Kusina Sa Pag-Amuma Central Kitchen Launched in Samboan
At least 1,400 kids in the southern town of Samboan, Cebu are expected to benefit from the supplemental feeding program of the Cebu Provincial Government, which launched the Kusina sa Kahimsug ug Pag-Amuma (KKP) Central Kitchen over the weekend.
In partnership with Gawad Kalinga (GK), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 7, and the Municipal Government of Samboan, this feeding program aims to end hunger and promote good health of malnourished or severely malnourished children across the province.
Under this project, the beneficiaries–kinder to grade six pupils–will be served at least one meal a day in their school for 120 days.
The launching in Samboan was the fruition of the memorandum of agreement signed by stakeholders last April during the #EndHungerSummit held at the Capitol Social Hall.
Image source: http://www.cebu.gov.ph
The KKP Central Kitchen is located at the Cebu Technological University-Samboan Extension Campus.
KKP is a localized adaptation of GK’s Kusina sa Kalinga, a platform to end malnutrition problem.
Gov. Hilario P. Davide III, who led the ceremony last Saturday, thanked GK for introducing the program to the Province.
The governor said that he was inspired to launch the program, after he and his wife, Mrs. Jobel Angan-Davide, witnessed the best practices of GK’s Kusina sa Kalinga in Valenzuela in 2017.
The maiden launch of KKP was held in the northern town of San Remigio.
Davide said that the program will also be launched in the towns of Catmon and Madridejos in Bantayan Island.
Vice Gov. Agnes A. Magpale, who also graced the activity, pointed out the importance of preparing and serving nutritious meal to the children.
That’s why, Magpale said that included in the KKP program is the training of parents on how to prepare healthy meal to their children, instead of serving instant food.
The vice governor also thanked the stakeholders for their continued support to the program.
Mrs. Davide, the KKP advisor, narrated that they encountered some challenges during the start of the feeding program.
Image source: http://www.cebu.gov.ph
“Nabag-ohan ba kay this is a different kind of feeding program because we encouraged the teachers, the parents, (and) stakeholders to take ownership of their responsibilities for the children,” she said.
Mrs. Davide urged the private sector, as well as individuals, to donate for the program as this will go a long way for the future of the beneficiaries. For a donation of P3,200, this can already cover the full 120 days meal of one beneficiary-pupil.
“We encourage the private sector, individuals to also please help out to sustain this program. When we nourish their little bodies, we also nourish their souls and their future,” she said.
Floreza Duque-Alpuerto, head of the Cebu Provincial Investment and Promotions Office (CPIPO), administered the reading of the “Pledge of Commitment” before Gov. Davide and the rest of the stakeholders fixed their signatures that sealed their commitments to the program.
Image source: http://www.cebu.gov.ph
Also present during the activity were Samboan Mayor Emerito “Tito”Calderon; Vice Mayor Emerito Calderon Jr.; GK Provincial head Antonio Florendo; Melinda Cañares, DSWD 7 supplemental feeding focal person; Samboan Councilor Reggie Nellas, Barangay Captain Raymond Joseph Calderon, Liga ng Barangay president; Marivic Garces, head of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office; and other local officials.
The KKP program is line with Six-Key Development Agenda of the administration of Davide and Magpale, which focuses on health and social services. This agenda, which carries the Capitol mantra of “Kalambuan Sa Matag Sugbuanon,” aims to provide basic services and a holistic approach to the poor and vulnerable sectors– the children, women and mothers, and the elderly. (CEBU PROVINCIAL GOV’T PR)
