Capitol’s KKP Feeding Program Improves Kids’ Health, Helps Malnutrition Problem in the Province

The Cebu Provincial Government, through its “Kusina sa Kahimsug ug Pag-amuma (KKP)” feeding program, successfully reduced the number of undernourished pupils in the northern town of San Remigio.

Gov. Hilario P. Davide III made the announcement on Tuesday, July 17, during the turnover ceremony for the KKP facilities to the local government of San Remigio lead by Mayor Mariano Martinez and the signing of the memorandum of agreements (MOA) for the municipalities of Catmon and Madridejos.

The governor and his first lady and KKP adviser, Jobel Angan-Davide, led the opening of KKP’s Kitchen 1 inside the San Remigio Central School and the Kitchen 2 in Tambongon Central School. Gov. Davide also turned over to Martinez and Gawad Kalinga (GK) Cebu head Antonio Florendo Jr. kitchen implements, gas ranges and cooking wares, and the lunch boxes.

The town of San Remigio serves as the pilot area for the feeding program that aims to make children well-nourished for them to become more active in their studies, as well as to educate parents on proper nutrition.

When the program was launched in November 2017, a total of 5,230 were identified as beneficiaries, including the 1,161 undernourished and severely undernourished pupils from kinder to Grade 6.

After eight months the organizers have noticed improvements on the health of the beneficiaries, especially on the 1,161 undernourished and severely undernourished pupils.

Of the 1,161 pupils, 439 of them, or at least 37.8 percent, have already acquired their normal body weights and have been declared healthy. Mrs. Davide said she also noticed that some even exceeded their normal body weights.

The remaining 722 pupils are also on their way to a healthier body.

In line with Davide and Vice Gov. Agnes A. Magpale’s thrust to spread “Kalambuan sa Matag Sugbuanon,” the governor said that the KKP program will be replicated in other towns. He said Catmon and Madridejos will be next, then Samboan.

Image source: http://www.cebu.gov.ph

“Before, some pupils collapsed during flag ceremony because they have not taken their breakfast,” said District 1 Supervisor Oscar Pestaño.

“Ang Barangay Dapdap, zero na ang wasted ug ang severely wasted pupils. Hopefully, modaghan na ning mga zero wasted pupils,” said Mrs. Davide after assessing the KKP’s consolidated records.

Even among day care and pre-school pupils, the numbers of unhealthy kids have decreased from 1,745 last year to 1,615, or a decrease of 130 (7.4 percent), as of June this year.

Shortly before the turnover ceremony of the KKP facility in San Remigio, a MOA signing between the local government units of Catmon and Madridejos was held. The two municipalities have been identified as the next beneficiaries for the Capitol’s feeding program.

The signatories are Gov. Davide, Florendo, Pestaño, Department of Social Welfare and Development 7 Director Evelyn Macapobre, Catmon Mayor Dan Jusay and Councilor Emie Gabito, who represented Madridejos Mayor Jay River de la Fuente.

A total of P8.3 million has been allocated for the KKP program for 2017 and up to May this year.

According to the records from the Cebu Investment and Promotions Office (CIPO), at least P2.6 million was sourced from Department of Social Welfare and Development, P2.2 million from DepEd; P2 million from Capitol and P1.5 million from San Remigio government.

The project is inspired from the Kusina ng Kalinga project of Gawad Kalinga, which role is to plan the nutritious menu and prepare daily food packs for the children beneficiaries.

To ensure that the meals to be prepared are fresh and nutritious, local farmers’ organizations and cooperatives supply the products needed for the feeding activities.

The Kitchen 1 in San Remigio Central School has been serving pupils from 11 barangays, while the Kitchen 2 in Tambongon Central School serves 16 barangays. Food packs are prepared in these two kitchens and placed in big crates for distribution to different barangays.

Providing health and social services is included in the Six-Key Development Agenda of the administration of Davide and Vice Gov. Agnes A. Magpale. The other top agenda are countryside development; education and technical vocational training; environmental protection, climate change and disaster risk management; infrastructure development, tourism and investment promotion; and law and order. (CEBU GOV’T)