To arrest the growing number of malnourished children in Tagum City, the City Nutrition Council re-launched the Supplemental Feeding Program to the identified 161 severely underweight pre-school children from the 23 barangays that was jumpstarted in Barangay Mankilam last September 12, 2012.
Each of the undernourished children was given first laboratory test and medical check-up to assess its physical condition before they could be enrolled in a 90-day feeding program as jointly conducted by the City Health Office headed by Dr. Arnel Florendo and City Social Welfare and Development Office headed by Mrs. Nora Lupiba.
These malnourished children, according to City health Action Officer and City Councilor Joedel T. Caasi, who spearheaded the supplemental feeding program, were found out to perform poorly in school and were also susceptive to illnesses.
To ensure sustainability of the program and positive result in ensuring the improvement of the nutritional status of these children, the parents were oriented on the proper nutrition and feeding of their children.
The activity also saw the help of civic organizations such as the Tagum City Food Bank and the Rotary Club of Tagum that regularly conduct feeding activities in different barangays .
From 103 cases of severely malnourished children last year, the number rose to 161 this year due to increased population as a result to influx of settlers in the city. Monet Federiso of CIO TAGUM
