Unify gov't feeding programs --- Marcos
Published Jun 13, 2023 08:48 am
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. does not want a duplication of government feeding programs, so he told his Cabinet members to implement these programs in a more cohesive manner.
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Photo courtesy of Yummie Dingding/PPA Pool)
In a sectoral meeting in Malacañang on Tuesday, June 13, Marcos ordered the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Department of Health (DOH) to synchronize all ongoing feeding programs in the country. Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said the President does not want a duplication in the feeding programs of the various government agencies, noting that a unified approach should be put in place. It should be implemented by targeting certain "life stages," he added. “The President wanted a more cohesive approach (for) this problem of hunger and addressing the poor. And he was asking, ‘I don’t want duplication…’ kasi nga baka paulit-ulit lang iyong ibang agency nagpi-feeding program – mayroon sa LGU (local government unit), mayroon sa DepEd (Department of Education), mayroon sa DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development), mayroon sa DOH (Department of Health) (to avoid similar feeding programs in LGU, DepEd, DSWD, and DOH),” Herbosa said in a Palace briefing. “We’re trying to now put them all together in one unified 'life stages' approach. So, iyon ang pino-propose ko sa President. I think the way to approach it is a life stage and umpisa doon sa buntis,” he added. Include pregnant, lactating women Marcos also ordered the inclusion of pregnant and lactating women to the food stamp program after learning that there is no certain program that handles the nutrition given to pregnant women in the country. "Who’s taking care of the pregnant teenager who needs to understand what micronutrients to take when they're pregnant? What type of food to eat?" Marcos asked during the meeting. Herbosa said this will be the DOH's role in the implementation of the food program. According to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, stunting rates for ages 0 to 23 months old is 21.6 percent or one in five children while for children under five years old, the stunting rate is 28.7 percent. For malnutrition rate, Herbosa said the children in daycare facilities, which is handled and supervised by DepEd, is pegged at 20 percent. Marcos made the directive as [he approved the implementation of the pilot testing of the food stamp program](https://mb.com.ph/2023/6/13/marcos-gives-green-light-to-food-stamp-pilot-testing-full-implementation) or the “Walang Gutom 2027” which aims to provide electronic benefit transfers that will be loaded with food credits amounting to P3,000 to purchase a select list of food commodities from DSWD accredited local retailers. The pilot testing will begin in the second half of the year under a $3-million fund through grants.
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (Photo courtesy of Yummie Dingding/PPA Pool)
In a sectoral meeting in Malacañang on Tuesday, June 13, Marcos ordered the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Department of Health (DOH) to synchronize all ongoing feeding programs in the country. Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said the President does not want a duplication in the feeding programs of the various government agencies, noting that a unified approach should be put in place. It should be implemented by targeting certain "life stages," he added. “The President wanted a more cohesive approach (for) this problem of hunger and addressing the poor. And he was asking, ‘I don’t want duplication…’ kasi nga baka paulit-ulit lang iyong ibang agency nagpi-feeding program – mayroon sa LGU (local government unit), mayroon sa DepEd (Department of Education), mayroon sa DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development), mayroon sa DOH (Department of Health) (to avoid similar feeding programs in LGU, DepEd, DSWD, and DOH),” Herbosa said in a Palace briefing. “We’re trying to now put them all together in one unified 'life stages' approach. So, iyon ang pino-propose ko sa President. I think the way to approach it is a life stage and umpisa doon sa buntis,” he added. Include pregnant, lactating women Marcos also ordered the inclusion of pregnant and lactating women to the food stamp program after learning that there is no certain program that handles the nutrition given to pregnant women in the country. "Who’s taking care of the pregnant teenager who needs to understand what micronutrients to take when they're pregnant? What type of food to eat?" Marcos asked during the meeting. Herbosa said this will be the DOH's role in the implementation of the food program. According to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, stunting rates for ages 0 to 23 months old is 21.6 percent or one in five children while for children under five years old, the stunting rate is 28.7 percent. For malnutrition rate, Herbosa said the children in daycare facilities, which is handled and supervised by DepEd, is pegged at 20 percent. Marcos made the directive as [he approved the implementation of the pilot testing of the food stamp program](https://mb.com.ph/2023/6/13/marcos-gives-green-light-to-food-stamp-pilot-testing-full-implementation) or the “Walang Gutom 2027” which aims to provide electronic benefit transfers that will be loaded with food credits amounting to P3,000 to purchase a select list of food commodities from DSWD accredited local retailers. The pilot testing will begin in the second half of the year under a $3-million fund through grants.