Summer time is said to be relaxation time but in some areas of Region X it is also the best time for children to learn. Despite the summer heat, parents and children still go to day care centers to learn and involve themselves in good nutrition habits through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Supplementary Feeding Program.

Ms. Ester Y. Cornilla, a teacher for 13 years at P2 – North Poblacion Day Care Center Maramag, Bukidnon, said that parents and teachers of the said school decided to continue the supplementary feeding.  According to her, the said initiative was done when they saw that the nutritional status of their children has greatly improved. Ms Cornilla believes that because of the feeding program, children became more mentally alert and active.

80% of the Local Government Units in Northern Mindanao has completed the 120-day feeding of Supplementary Feeding Program, particularly in its 3rd Cycle Implementation. The 20% remaining Local Government Units are still undergoing the feeding program for the children, even on a summer season, just to complete the 120-day feeding program.

DSWD reveals that for the school year 2014-2015, there are now 25 local government units that have received the allocation for the fourth cycle particularly in Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte and Misamis Oriental the implementation which will start on June 2014.

By: Juvy AnneC. Pimentel, RND and Charmaine P. Tadlas