The City Government of Valenzuela together with the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) launched the localized supplementary feeding program, Batang Valenzuelano, Let's GO! and distributed the City’s Enhanced Nutribun to Daycare students at Dalandanan Multi-Purpose Building, February 3. 

8,914 Valenzuelano Daycare students enrolled in Early Childhood Care and Development Centers are entitled to receive the City’s Enhanced Nutribun for 120 days cycle of Supplementary Feeding Program that aims to fight malnutrition by providing supplemental food, in addition to their regular meals. Five pieces per pack of enhanced nutribun are allocated for distribution of the Chikiting Food Patrol to every student weekly until the completion of the feeding cycle.

The enhanced nutribun is a reformulated recipe developed by the Department of Science and Technology’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) and adapted by the local government  for its initiative to launch the City’s Supplementary Feeding Program. 

The said enhanced nutribun are now tastier, more nutritious, softer texture, mainly made from squash, carrot, and sweet potato for better taste, and enriched with protein, iron and vitamin A, among others. 

Each serving of enhanced nutribun squash variant weighing 80 grams per piece, which is easier for children to hold and bite, has 250 calories, 9 grams protein, 132 milligrams calcium, 3 milligrams iron, and 111.5 micrograms vitamin A.

Last January, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office’s dry ration already arrived and distributed to Pre-K1 Daycare students and selected Pre-K2 Students. Only a total of 4,200 beneficiaries have received their red bag containing munggo, malagkit rice, pancake mix, eggs, canned goods, rice munggo (rimo), micronutrient A powder, and the enhanced nutribun.

In his address, City Mayor WES Gatchalian acknowledged all the parents who ceaselessly showing their support for the City’s program, “Nagpapasalamat po ako sa mga nanay na tuloy-tuloy na sumusuporta sa ating programa  at naghahatid sa ating mga anak sa ating daycare.”

Meanwhile, CSWDO head Ms. Dorothy Evangelista reiterated the importance of a healthy body, “Ang nutribun na ito ay dinisenyong ready-to-eat complete meal. Para sa mga chikiting at mga magulang, hindi lang kaisipan ang dapat imulat, mahalagang pati ang katawan ay laging malusog at ang kanilang tiyan ay laging busog upang mas maging kumpleto ang kanilang pagkatuto.”

Before concluding the launching, the City’s Registered Nutritionist-Dietitian also offered a sustainable, comprehensive, and integrated program to guardians and parents through a “Parent - Nutrition Education Session” to teach basic, practical, and appropriate Food and Nutrition topics that they can use for good at home. 

The Supplementary Feeding Program is part of the City’s award-winning Education 360 Degrees Investment Program that aims to uplift the quality of education in the City. 

Gracing the event were Mayor WES Gatchalian, Vice Mayor Lorie Natividad-Borja, Liga ng mga Barangay President Jon-Jon Bartolome, Dalandanan Punong Barangay Benny Encarnacion and Council, CSWDO Head Dorothy Evangelista,  and Punong Barangay from different Barangays

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