In time for the new academic year, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is set to pilot the implementation of twice-a-day feeding program for daycare children in 450 local government units (LGUs) nationwide through its Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP). The twice-a-day feeding serves as an augmentation to the regularly implemented 120-day feeding program of the Department which provides hot meals once a day.  An additional P1 B is allocated for the implementation of the twice -a-day feeding program to the selected areas.

Currently, DSWD implements the regular SFP in all LGUs across the country​ to ensure that daycare children are able to consume nutritious food.  Under the regular SFP, DSWD provides hot meals to children enrolled in Child Development Centers and Supervised Neighborhood Play for 120 days to support  their nutrition needs.

DSWD, however, will pilot the provision of twice–a-day feeding in the selected LGUs  based on​ the following criteria:  malnutrition rate as per the National Nutrition Council; children in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA); Indigenous Peoples’ (IP) areas; LGUs with nutritionally-depressed areas;  and  LGUs with no unliquidated funds from previous implementation of the regular SFP.

Under the expanded SFP,  children in the morning play and learning session will be provided with an alternative meal consisting of a heavy snack. This will be served before the session, and then a hot meal will be served after the session. For the afternoon session, hot meals will be served upon the arrival of the children followed by an alternative meal.

The DSWD Central Office is currently finalizing the guidelines for the provision of the twice​ daily feeding, as well as the detailed work plan to ensure the smooth implementation of the expanded SFP this coming June.

Once implemented, the twice-a-day feeding is expected to benefit around 527,546 children in the target areas.

“May mga lugar kung saan maraming bata ang kailangan ng mas tutok sa kanilang pagkain, nutrisyon, pati yung mga IPs, at yung mga nasa lugar na mahirap maabot.  Bahagi ito ng ating kagustuhang magbigay aruga at tunay na serbisyo sa ating mga kabataan (There are areas wherein more attention has to be given to the food intake and nutritional needs of the children. These areas include the communities of indigenous people, and communities in geographically hard-to-reach areas. We are  improving our supplementary feeding program as a way to respond to reports of the malnutrition and hunger among children in GIDAs, IP communities, and similar communities),” DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said.

“It should be emphasized that the welfare of children is always among the priorities of the DSWD and its programs,” she said. # ##