The Pasig City local government and the Department of Health (DOH) launched on Monday, May 8, the "Karinderya Para sa Healthy Pilipinas" program aimed at mitigating malnutrition among children and promote health and wellness among pregnant women and lactating mothers. Spearheaded by the Pasig City Health Department (CHD) and the DOH, "Karinderya Para sa Healthy Pilipinas" is a program included in the eight health promotion playbooks by the DOH. The program enhances the coordination between the national and local governments with eateries and karinderyas  in the city. "Sa tulong ng karagdagang pondo mula sa mga Barangay Maybunga at Rosario at pakikiisa ng karinderya owners ay masisiguro na ang mga inihahandang pagkain ay angkop sa pangangailangang nutrisyon ng mga buntis, nagpapasusong ina, at mga batang edad lima pababa (With the help of additional funds from Barangays Maybunga and Rosario and with the coordination of karinderya owners, the program will ensure that all meals being served to the public provide the essential nutrition needed by pregnant women, breast feeding mothers, and children aged 5 below)," the city government said. Aside from the "Karinderya Para sa Healthy Pilipinas," the city government will also conduct other health and nutrition-oriented programs in the span of 120 days. During the city government and DOH's memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing in April, the DOH said that “the 'karinderya' can be harnessed as partners in nutrition for and beyond the implementation of dietary supplementation activities.” “First, due to its physical and social closeness with the community, beneficiaries may be more likely to attend dietary supplementation activities implemented by the 'karinderya.' Second, if assisted in transition from serving generally salty, oily, and fatty food, as well as sugar-sweetened beverages to serving safe, healthy, and affordable food, the 'karinderya' could greatly contribute to reducing the prevalence of malnutrition in the community,” the agency said. “To make this possible, karinderyas must be capacitated in key areas, including proper food safety and sanitation practices,” it added. Under the program, the local government and the partner "karinderya" owners sign a service contract agreement wherein they are screened according to their history of establishment, duration of service in the community, capacity, and commitment to the program prior to the signing. The partner "karinderya" will undergo capacity development and training on food safety and preparation and nutrition standards.