THE Department of Science and Technology’s Provincial Science and Technology Office of Rizal (DOST-PSTO-Rizal), in partnership with the Local Government Unit (LGU) Rodriguez, kicked off a 120-day feeding program on May 13, 2024, to address child malnutrition in the community. This program is a key initiative under DOST’s Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) program.
Ms. Jennefer Jeazon Medina, Science Research Specialist II of PSTO Rizal, hosted the event proper, while Ms. Rosemarie Posa, Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS) of Brgy. Burgos led the opening prayer.
The program launch featured an inspirational message from Provincial S&T Director Fernando Ablaza of DOST-Rizal, who highlighted that this 120-day activity aims to ensure that the selected malnourished and underweight children aged six (6) to 35 months old will be nourished with adequately-rationed supplies. PD Ablaza also highlighted the importance of close monitoring and parental participation.
On behalf of Dr. Hazel Montolo, Dr. Oliver Pacion of the Municipal Health Office emphasized the program’s role in strengthening children’s immunity.
During the commencement of the feeding proper, the Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) of every participating barangays secured the prepared sopas mixed with nutriblends, e-Nutribun squash variant, and Sigla nutri-crunchies. Food pack supplies for the week, consisting of nutriblends and Sigla nutri-crunchies, were already distributed during the feeding proper.
The rest of the feeding consumables throughout the 120 days will be provided by the LGU and their respective BNS.
To close the event, LGU Rodriguez, represented by Municipal Nutrition Action Officer Milagros Adriano, pledged ongoing support and expressed sincere gratitude to DOST for this initiative. This was followed by a photo opportunity of PSTO Rizal and LGU Rodriguez with the children and their parents, to formally conclude the program.
The feeding program is one of the four (4) major components of DOST’s CEST program in order to address malnourishment, ensure food security, and promote DOST’s food technologies. It also represents a successful collaboration between PSTO-Rizal, LGU Rodriguez, BNS, and the Municipal Health Office.
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