The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assures the parents of children enrolled in day care centers that the Department highly values the well-being of their kids and emphasizes that food products used for the Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) for them are safe.

The assurance came following a news report of an incident involving the delivery of spoiled meat which were supposed to be used for SFP in the municipalities of Orani, Dinalupihan, Orion, Mariveles, and Limay in Bataan.

DSWD is now closely working with the provincial government of Bataan to ensure the procurement of safe meat products to be used for the feeding program for day care children in the province.

SFP is the provision of food in addition to the regular meals to children currently enrolled in Child Development Centers and Supervised Neighborhood Play (SNP) as part of DSWD’s contribution to the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) program of the government.

Upon learning of the incident, DSWD-Field Office III Director Marites Maristela had a meeting with the supplier who committed to replace the contaminated meat supplies and to shoulder all the expenses for the disposal.  

Director Maristela also coordinated with the Regional National Meat Inspection Service (RNMIS) for the provision of technical assistance to the supplier on the proper handling and storage of meat products and other perishable goods.

The Field Office is further studying the provisions of Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act to determine if there are violations committed by the supplier.

The Department also ensures the strict compliance to the Amended Omnibus Guidelines in the Implementation of SFP to maintain the integrity and efficient implementation of the program. -30-