KALIBO, Aklan – More than 400 child development centers (CDCs) are beneficiaries of ongoing supplementary feeding programs in Aklan.
Supplementary feeding supplies amounting to P2.9 million were turned over by the provincial government of Aklan and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office to child development workers in 17 municipalities.
Jenelyn Nama Itulid, focal person of early childcare and development, said the supplemental feeding program is the continuing provision of food by the provincial government for learners currently enrolled in child development centers, formerly called daycare centers.
The provincial government under Gov. Jose Enrique Miraflores is stepping up efforts to sustain the programs and services in partnership with the local government units and to provide food assistance to underweight and malnourished children impacted by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The COVID-19 crisis has disrupted the normal life of young children under the age of four. During the pandemic, learners are no longer getting meals from schools or child development centers.
Without face-to-face classes, child development workers allow parents and guardians to pick up the cooked meals and bring them home for their children.
Learners are feed with choco malt powdered drink, corn milk, pancit / bihon, eggs, rice, condensed creamer, fortified powder milk, premium sotanghon, elbow macaroni and corned beef to improve their nutritional status.
Aklan remains one of the provinces in Western Visayas with high prevalence of stunting and underweight among children under five (0 to 59 months) and school-age children (5 to 10 years old)./PN
